Health bosses today announced plans to pump nearly £1 million into Leicester's dental services.

They say it should make it easier for nearly 3,000 people in the city to see an NHS dentist.

But health bosses responsible for paying for the city's services said not all the cash set aside for treatments was used by the start of April.

They said that the £140,000 left over would go back into the system along with a further £900,000 being invested to improve access to dental services.

Officials at NHS Leicester City, the primary care trust (PCT), said there were around 61 dental practices in the city which provide NHS treatment.

Although some have closed their books to NHS patients, about a dozen dental practices in the city are able to take on new patients every month.

Toby Sanders, director of primary and community care at the PCT, said: "Leicester is improving dental care but access for patients is still not as good as we would like.

"We are determined to make more NHS treatment available in the city for those who need it.

"That's why we are investing an additional £900,000 to support surgeries taking on NHS work this year."

He said that, in addition, the £140,000 allocated for dental work which was not carried out last year would now be channelled into NHS surgeries.

Dentist Philip Martin has about 3,500 patients on the books of his Winchester Avenue practice.

His list is currently closed to NHS patients as he waits to recruit another dentist but said: "I welcome this extra investment which I believe will come through in the next few weeks because it will help more people to see a dentist on the NHS."

Anyone trying to find an NHS dentist is urged to call 0116 295 7011.