HEALTH chiefs have negotiated new arrangements with dentists to ensure treatment under the NHS remains available in upper Wensleydale.

Patients in Hawes claimed that despite the Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust injecting £18,000 into services in the area, a shortage of dental surgeons meant they still faced a long waiting list if they wanted to register.

The alternative was to drive to another practice in Leyburn - a 35-mile round trip which, for many, meant time off work.

But after talks with the area's dentists, the trust has confirmed that from this week, a salaried dentist will be setting two days aside just to treat NHS patients - albeit in Leyburn.

In the meantime, the Hawes practice has pledged to address its staff shortage and hopes to recruit a new member of staff within the next six months.

Once a new dental surgeon has been found to fill the breach, the practice in Hawes will be able to beef up its NHS service and treatment will be available five days a week rather than the current four.

The Hawes practice has also pledged to continue an out-of-hours emergency service to ensure registered patients do not have to travel long distances if they need to call the emergency rota.

Primary Care Trust chief executive Chris Long said he was aware both the Leyburn and Hawes practices had been working hard to improve services in Wensleydale.

Explosive found at old bridge

A BOMB disposal team was called to an old bridge last week after plastic explosives were discovered by workmen.

Repairs were being carried out to the 134-year-old structure at Myton-on-Swale, near Boroughbridge, when three pieces of explosive were found.

The Army owned up to a 57-year-old blunder in leaving the explosives there from the war years. Bridges such as these were packed with explosives when it was thought Germany might invade.