DENTAL patients were today looking for a new practice in the wake of Boots' decision to pull out of dentistry.

The retailer's store, in Mealhouse Lane, Bolton, was one of 54 across the country to offer a dentist practice.

But the Nottingham based firm said the service - along with laser eye correction, chiropody and laser hair removal - was making a loss.

It said up to 2,000 patients would be affected in Bolton.

A spokesman said: "We will offer them help to find them new practices and work that has already been arranged will be honoured."

The move affects 15 staff in Bolton. Some may be taken on as staff in the main store, others may be relocated to stores across the Bolton area.

Many people are also affected by the axing of laser eye treatment. Patients will be referred to Laserease, at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Those waiting for treatment at the hair removal clinic will be referred to other centres in Bolton.

Boots said it would close the majority of the dentist practices by the end of the year, although it pledged to fulfil commitments to existing patients during that time. The news comes as it was revealed Bolton is to get a new NHS dentist for 1,500 patients, on Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge.

It was 18 months ago that Boots pulled the plug on its brief foray into Wellbeing services such as manicures and massages. Dental care and chiropody were kept following the cull in March 2003.

Under new chief executive Richard Baker, Boots has embarked on a major restructuring. As part of the overhaul, it has introduced longer opening hours, extended Sunday openings, modernised pharmacies and introduced clearer signs in stores.

There are around 80 dentists in Bolton - a fall of 17 per cent over the past 10 years. People looking for a dentist can go to the Lever Chambers Health Centre, on Asburner Street, Bolton, for a full list.