A CHIPPING SODBURY pensioner with a wobbly tooth has been turned away by five dental surgeries and is now desperate to get the offending gnasher removed.

War veteran Ken Morris, of Gaunts Road, is finding it painful to eat and has reached the end of his tether.

Since his tooth became loose seven weeks ago, Mr Morris has visited all the dentists in Yate and Chipping Sodbury but was turned away by them all.

The 74-year-old moved to the town six years ago and was registered with Hounds Road Surgery. However, when he first approached the surgery with his current toothache, Mr Morris discovered he was no longer on the books.

The surgery told the Gazette that it did send out a letter warning Mr Morris that his 15 months without a required appointment was running out.

The NHS dentists - which also does some private work - said it had no spaces for any new patients unless family members were already registered and even then would it would be at the dentist's discretion.

Mr Morris, a retired railway electrician and ex-serviceman for the Royal Engineers, for whom he served in Korea, offered to pay Apple Dental Practice, in Wellington Road, The Ridge Dental Surgery and both practices in Yate Shopping Centre to get his tooth pulled out.

He said: "They did not want to know. I have been told the same thing no matter where I go. Nobody seems interested in doing a simple procedure.

"No doubt if I was in a Third World country, I would get it done."

He added: "I am disgusted and think a dreadful service is being offered to the people of Yate and Chipping Sodbury."

Mr Morris said he was considering taking the tooth out himself or going to Bristol Dental Hospital.

But he said: "I am a pensioner. I shouldn't have to do go to Bristol or pay £20 to see a dentist, then more money to get my tooth out. I don't want to see a dentist every six months when I don't need to, either."

NHS-run Apple Dental Practice said spaces were available to new patients in South Gloucestershire but not until the end of April. The surgery has an obligation to see registered patients in pain within 24 hours but anyone not on the books is offered the next available appointment.

The Ridge Dental Surgery is both private and NHS-run but has no spaces. West Walk Surgery specialises in treating people with special needs and only takes referrals from doctors.

Yate Central Dental Surgery said it was not taking any more NHS patients as a general rule. However, a spokewoman said: "Sometimes if a person is in pain we can offer an emergency appointment and they may be seen on a casual basis but it is down to the dentist."

She admitted things could be "hit and miss" but advised Mr Morris to call everyday in hope.