A surgery which had been earmarked for use by asylum seekers is to close because no doctors want to work there.

The Sai Medical Centre in Rose Hill in Derby will close from Monday after no GPs applied to take on the practice.

Health chiefs have denied that applicants were put off because the surgery was earmarked for asylum seekers.

The 1,700 patients registered at the busy surgery will be allocated new GPs.

Local doctors support the development of an asylum seekers practice

Graham English, health spokesman

Graham English, from Central Derby Primary Care Trust, said: "There is a national shortage of GPs and it is particularly difficult to recruit to surgeries in inner cities.

"Also, single-handed practices can be difficult too."

Last month GPs in the city warned they would not be able to cope with the influx of new patients if the Sai Centre was turned into a practice for asylum seekers.

But now other practices will have to take on new patients because of the closure and doctors have reiterated their concerns.

Mr English said he did not believe the lack of applicants was because of the asylum seekers issue.

"Local doctors support the development of an asylum seekers practice," he said.

"They think that is to the benefit of both asylum seekers and of local residents in Derby."