MORE than 1,200 people put their name down as potential patients in just eight hours at a Blackburn Road dental surgery on its first day of opening.

There are still spaces left at the Astley Bridge surgery that opened for business on Monday.

The dentist, Mark Cohen, says he will take on 1,500 patients to begin with. He will work one day a week until December when it is hoped a full-time dentist will take over.

Patients are asked to put their name down and they will later be alllocated an appointment. After their appointment, they will find out if they can be registered. Patients from the Astley Bridge area will be given priority.

Ring the surgery on 01204 302011 to make an appointment.