Patients started queuing on Monday morning

The move by Guide Post Dental Practice, in Northumberland, means its patient list will be cut from 6,000 to 2,500.

The reason behind the decision is a new NHS contract, which is being introduced in April.

Last week hundreds queued outside two dental surgeries in Cumbria after a practice said it was leaving the NHS.

In a letter, patients of the Guide Post practice were told they would be signed up to the new list on a first come, first served basis prompting the queues on Monday morning.

Patients in the queue told of their anger at the situation and having to pay for their treatment. Patients will pay �14 a month and a �10 registration fee plus treatment costs.

Dentistry changing

Practice owner Richard Fretwell said: "The biggest problem from our point of view is with the new contract.

"They are changing how dentistry is done, how dentists are paid and how patients pay. Myself and colleagues struggle to see how this is going to benefit dentistry in the future."

In a statement, Northumberland Care Trust said: "The trust has not yet received formal notification from the Guide Post Dental Practice of its intention to cease providing NHS dental care for adult patients.

"The practice has a statutory contractual requirement to continue to provide services for three months during which time the care trust will be working with patients to find alternative services."

Last week, there were queues in Penrith and Carlisle after a practice announced it would stop NHS treatment for adults in February.

Then on Friday, a second practice, in Carlisle, announced it was also leaving the NHS.