There is a shortage of dentists across the North West

The St George's dental practice in Chorley, Lancashire, has also taken on three new dentists.

Previously, it had had to turn away hundreds of patients each week because it did not have enough staff.

The public demand highlights the position thousands of people are finding themselves in as more and more dentists go private.

Many of the people queuing said they had been waiting for an NHS dentist in the area for years.