COMPLAINTS about a top plastic surgeon, who has operated on patients at a Preston consultancy, have been reported to the General Medical Council.

A regional BBC news item this week revealed that several patients have filed complaints about David Herbert, 62, who has operated on patients at Broughton Park Private Hospital, in Durton Lane, Preston.

One of those patients, Linda Bullock, 46, paid £4,600 for a face-lift and surgery to her lips and eyes by Mr Herbert, at the former West Cliff Clinic, in Preston, in July 1998.

She is now suing him and waiting for a second medical opinion, before taking her claim further.

Linda claims that Mr Herbert wrecked her looks during the operation which, she says, lasted less than an hour.

She said: "I just wanted to improve my looks. I wasn't warned of any scarring.

"Now I look worse than before. My face still has the same sagginess and the lines over my lips are still there.

"Both eyes have been scarred and my eyes look unbalanced. "After complaining to the clinic I was told that I had to give it 12 months for the scarring to heal completely and later they offered to do a second operation for free. I didn't want anything more to do with them."

Linda Hanson, managing director of Broughton Park Private Hospital (a member of the NICSO), would not comment on Mr Herbert - known as the "Flying Doctor" by fellow surgeons and patients because of his reputation for fast work.

In a statement released yesterday (Wednesday), she said: "Regarding the three patients who have apparently complained to the General Medical Council I, at this stage, cannot comment.

"I have been in touch with the GMC this morning and they cannot confirm that Mr Herbert is under investigation. However, even if such an investigation is taking place, one should not assume the outcome at this stage."

She added: "Mr Herbert has worked for the NICSO for almost seven years and the employees of this organisation have supreme confidence in him."

Linda Hanson said that over the past two years six members of staff, including herself, have had surgery performed by him.

"Mr Herbert has operated on more than 3,500 patients over the past three years, with a dissatisfaction rate of approximately 0.5 per cent, as opposed to a national average of 4-5 per cent."

She praised Mr Herbert's professionalism and said his services were "most in demand."

She added: "It is a pity that the other side if the story from his happy patients, the silent majority, may not be heard."

In a statement, the General Medical Council said: "Since November 1999 we have received several complaints about a plastic surgeon.

"We are pursuing those complaints as a matter of urgency."

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