A DENTIST was free to continue practising today despite being found guilty of serious professional misconduct after a five-year-old girl died as he operated on her to remove a milk tooth.

Michael Lane, of Lostock Junction Lane, Lostock, Bolton, who in 2000 was acquitted of Karla Selly's manslaughter, had been warned that his surgery's anaesthetic equipment was not up to standard just months before her heart stopped while under general anaesthetic in August 1999.

But at a General Dental Council hearing in London yesterday Mr Lane, who runs the Towngate Dental Practice in Leyland, escaped being struck off the medical register.

The chairman of the 11-strong committee, John Chope, said: "I have to announce that the committee has found you guilty of serious professional misconduct, but has decided not to tell the registrar to erase your name from the Dental Register."

Leaving the hearing, Karla's mother Tracy Marsh said: "I am happy he was found guilty. I am just not very happy that he has not been suspended."

Mr Lane, aged 43, said "thank you" to the panel.

Following the hearing Iain Cuthbertson, from the Medical Defence Union, said: "Mr Lane is relieved that this matter is now closed and would again like to extend his sympathies to the family of Karla."