PATIENTS who had waited years to see an NHS dentist had their first appointments cancelled - because Jack Straw was visiting the new Blackburn practice.

Angry patients were left in the lurch after a receptionist phoned them to say appointments would not go ahead while the Foreign Secretary officially opened the new Preston New Road surgery yesterday.

But practice bosses defended their decision and said all patients would be given alternative slots.

Lib Dem councillor for Sudell Ward in Darwen, Roy Davies, said he was phoned just days earlier to say his sons, Mark, 23, and Adam, eight, had had their appointments changed because of Mr Straw's visit.

Coun Davies said: "As a family we have waited nearly two years to see an NHS dentist, so to have the appointments changed at such short notice is a major inconvenience.

"We had specifically chosen that appointment so we didn't have to take Adam out of school and, what with five dentists, I am sure that there are other patients who have been put out too.

"Why couldn't the surgery stay open so Mr Straw could see work in progress and meet the people who should be benefitting from the new NHS service?"

Practice manager of the Blackburn Dental Centre, Claire Reynolds, said: "We endeavoured to give all the patients four weeks' notice that their appointments would have to be changed, and less than 20 were affected. We purposely tried to organise the visit during lunchtime so less patients were inconvenienced, and when we phoned them to cancel their appointments there weren't any complaints."

Mr Straw said: "I am very sorry to hear that people were inconvenienced in this way, but I think that the opening is a very good thing and was a very good day for the people of Blackburn.

"It is only right that it was celebrated and that I was given the chance to thank the staff for all their efforts in getting this new facility open.

"With so many people there it would have been impossible for the dentists to see their patients, and therefore it was right not to take appointments that were booked for the day.

"I hope that all local councillors support the opening of the new facility, which will create 10,000 new NHS dental places for the people of Blackburn."

At the opening Mr Straw met the five dentists who originate from South Africa, Spain, Portugal, and Slovakia.