City dentists are to be paid extra to take on more NHS patients in a bid to solve the current dental crisis.

Health workers in the city are to be among the first in the country to receive the additional payments as part of a new Government contract.

The scheme, which will pay £10 for each new NHS patient, was due to be introduced nationally next year. But the plan was brought forward in Exeter following intervention by MP Ben Bradshaw.

Mr Bradshaw intervened after receiving dozens of letters from concerned residents who had only been told they could only receive private treatment in the city. If they wanted a NHS dentist they would have to travel up to 15 miles out of the area.

He then set up a meeting with Exeter Primary Care Trust and met up with its chief officer Jill Ashton.

The Exeter scheme is expected to be set up shortly. Funding has been agreed and is to be made available by the Government, although no precise date has been set yet.

FOR more Devon news, order a regular copy of the Sunday Independent. FIRST. BEST. EVERY SUNDAY...