AN angry patient says he will contact the Health Services Commission in his campaign to have NHS dentistry restored to Wensleydale.

Mervyn Wilmington gave North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust until yesterday to explain the delay and set out a timetable for reintroduction of surgeries at Leyburn and Hawes.

The PCT said on Thursday that it was unable to respond so quickly, but would do so within its normal 25-day deadline for official complaints.

Mr Wilmington, of Harmby, near Leyburn, said: "Over the weekend, I will write to the Health Services Commission to ask for an investigation."

He said he would take the matter to the health ombudsman if necessary.

The dale has been without full-time NHS dentistry since April 2006, when new contracts saw many dentists go into private practice only.

The PCT awarded a contract to provide surgeries to Primecare last July and the company recruited dentists, but a problem finding suitable premises is blamed for the 11-month delay.