A MUCH-needed NHS dentist may become a fixture at a former grocer's shop on a Worcester estate.

The proposed practice has been welcomed by families in Dines Green after it emerged that no dental surgeries in Worcester are currently taking on new NHS patients.

The unit in Gresham Road earmarked for the new development has been empty for around a year and has fallen prey to vandals.

Councillor Margaret Layland said Doctor John Bu had applied to Worcester City Council for permission to turn the unit into a dentist's surgery.

"I'm jumping up and down for joy because it's brilliant to think of an NHS dentist," said Coun Layland.

"It's a good investment in Dines Green. I believe the community will welcome him with open arms."

Coun Layland, who works at DG Pharmacy in Dines Green, said many customers from the estate often came into the chemist with toothache seeking advice because they could not afford private dental treatment.

Vanessa Champken, a mother who lives in Drake Avenue, said she would welcome an NHS dentist on her doorstep.

"A lot of people will be pleased," said the 24-year-old mother-of-one.

"I had to go all the way over to Lowesmoor on Monday, June 10, as toothache kept me awake all Sunday night and I had to have the tooth taken out."

Mother-of-three Kerry Smith, also from Drake Avenue, said she moved to the estate from Hereford in September, last year, but had not joined a Worcester dentist because of the distance she would have to travel.

"The nearest dentist is the other side of town in Warndon," said the 37-year-old.

"The traffic is congested in Worcester at the best of times." Peter Yates, principal planner at Worcester City Council confirmed that the planning department had received an application for 41 Gresham Road to change the retail unit to a dentist's surgery.

He said it was a city council-owned property and it would be dealt with on a planning agenda at the beginning of July.

"We're holding a consultation with neighbours that will last for another two weeks," said Mr Yates."We've not had any objections received so far."