A DENTIST who claims he spent £65,000 on a new surgery after a suggestion by council planners, has been told by officials that it is unsuitable.

Dr Paul Ridgway had planned to move his Chester-le-Street surgery so that elderly and disabled patients could have better access. At present, they have to negotiate an outside fire escape.

He said he bought the alternative building following advice from planners, at Chester-le-Street District Council - who are now recommending that permission for change of use be refused.

Council bosses are being sent a 1,000-name petition from patients, demanding a rethink.

With more than twice the national average of patients per dentist - 6,625 compared to 2,758 nationally - Chester-le-Street can ill afford to lose one of its eight surgeries.

Dr Ridgway, who has practised at his Front Street surgery for five years, said he must move to meet the necessary modifications required by the Newcastle Dental School.

He said: "There are no other dentists taking new patients in the town, so mine will be left high and dry if I have to leave Chester-le-Street.

"I have to leave here because it is simply not suitable for the disabled and elderly. Patients have to use rickety fire escape stairs on the outside of the building.

"My patients are very, very angry that the council want to refuse me permission to move into property they recommended."

Proposals for the new property in South Burn - which would need a further £40,000 refurbishment - includes ground floor access to a modern surgery with improved facilities aimed at reducing waiting times.

A council spokeswoman said: "We suggested looking at other areas of the town and, if he found somewhere, he should come back to us for informal advice as to the likelihood of whether he'd get planning permission.

"The next thing we knew we received an application for change of use.

"The premises are in an area that the council has identified for retail units, so we can have a sufficient number of shops in the town centre."

The matter will be considered at Monday's planning committee at the Civic Centre.