HOPEFUL patients queued before daybreak to get themselves on the NHS list of a Bolton dentist.

They were waiting outside when the Highfield Dental Practice in Farnworth opened its doors at 7am on Tuesday.

They came from as far as Rochdale to take advantage of 1,000 extra NHS places made available by practice owner Mark Ray.

Most dentists now offer only private treartment to new patients.

The practice manager, Diane Ray, said several hundred patients had signed on by midday, leaving just a few places available for registration.

At one point, the queue stretched from the surgery onto the pavement and down Highfield Road.

Mrs Ray said: "It has been a mad rush. We were going to open at 9am, but people were already at the surgery and we couldn't have left them in the freezing cold.

"We stressed that it was first-come, first-served."

Cheryl Wawrysz, of Halliwell, who joined the queue at 8.30am, said: "Every dentist I've had has gone private, it is a difficult situation. I got up early to get here."

Pensioner Eric Mather, of Mayfield Avenue, Farnworth, said NHS dentists were essential to those on low incomes. "I've only got three teeth on my bottom row and need some false teeth," said Mr Mather, aged 76.

"I have been trying to find a dentist for two years."

Robert Bayne, aged 26, of Conway Street, Farnworth, said: "I hadn't been to my previous dentist for ages and then the practice went private.

"My mum and dad are Highfield patients, so I know the surgery is good."

Dawn Wakerley, aged 24, of Carnation Road, Farnworth, queued for registration and brought son Kane, aged four, back later for a place.

She said: "My previous dentist signed me off the books when I moved address and finding a new NHS practice has been a nightmare.

"I am relieved Highfield has offered these new places."

In September, 2004, large queues formed outside dentist Mark Cohen's surgery in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, when he similarly took on NHS patients.

Last September, the Bolton Evening News reported that each of the borough's 32 dentists had closed their books to NHS patients.

In response, Blackpool dentist Dr Tamer Alaredy took to the road in a "tooth truck" to offer residents of Bolton a mobile service.