A new dental practice that takes on NHS patients has opened in Swindon. 

It follows a long period where very few - if any - dentists in the town have had space for new NHS patients. Others have stopped the service. 

The new Smile Dental Care branch opened on Regent Street in Swindon town centre on Wednesday, August 2, with an official opening ceremony taking place. 

As well as NHS patients, the new dentist is also offering dental services to people who are not registered elsewhere and are in need of emergency dental treatment. 

Speaking to the BBC about the opening, manager Catherine Gallagher: "We have four surgeries now fully recruited with dentists.

"We also offer the NHS programme for patients with dental needs that can't get registered anywhere, so we're very grateful to be able to open that up for people in need."

The dentist is on the site of the former Co-op Swindon Funeralcare.

Work began on the site in February and by April it was almost fully fitted out with new street-facing signage advertising its future use.

At that time, there were posters in the windows saying "Please do not call the practice, we will not be open until at least mid-May."

It registered with the Care Quality Commission on June 13.