PEOPLE have been clamouring to have their names registered with a much-needed NHS dentist in Worcester.

Since the official registration list opened just under two weeks ago, around 1,000 people have rushed to get themselves and their families on the list for the Dines Green surgery.

Patients of all ages from as far afield as Broadheath and Powick have put their names down, along with others from Dines Green and St John's.

DG Pharmacy, in Dines Green, is taking names for the practice on behalf of dentist Dr John Bue.

"This chemist is the only place where people can put their names down," said Hooman Ghalamkari, community pharmacist at DG Pharmacy.

"A lot of people still don't know they can put their names down here, but the list will soon fill up.

"People have been saying that NHS dentists are rare. They're really pleased about this."

The practice, a former grocer's shop in Gresham Road, has been empty for a year.

Dr Bue applied to Worcester City Council to turn it into a dentist surgery, but residents had to be consulted before it was approved at a planning meeting last month.

Sarah Plant, of Gresham Road, Dines Green put her name down, along with her children's, after talking to the Evening News.

"I'm not with a dentist at the moment," said the mum-of-three. It's handy, just across the road."

Summer Jones, dispensing technician at DG Pharmacy, said she was amazed at the number of people who had registered.

"People think it's a great idea because there's no NHS dentist round here," said the 23-year-old, from Callow End.

The row over the lack of NHS dentists in Worcester has rumbled on for months.

In May, the Evening News reported how the last two NHS practices in the city, Abbotsbury Court in St Peter's and Lyppard Grange in Warndon, had closed their books.

The nearest surgery taking on NHS patients was in Droitwich.

In June, plans were submitted to the city council for a surgery in Beech Avenue, Barbourne.

But despite being backed by the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, they were thrown out last month.

There are still places left on the Dines Green surgery's list.

Anyone interested in registering should visit the pharmacy.