A CAR park in Leominster could soon become home to a £1 million NHS dental centre.

The Hereford Times reported last year that the hunt was on for a suitable site in the town.

Now Herefordshire Council's cabinet has agreed to lease part of Dishley Street car park for the purpose.

Herefordshire Primary Care Trust is behind the project and spokesman Simon Hairsnape said the state-of-the-art facility should be open by the end of summer 2006.

Its development will mean the loss of about 50 parking spaces but it is expected these will be replaced by the opening up of 55 additional places at the Etnam Street car park.

The dental centre will consist of seven consulting rooms and will replace, and expand facilities around Leominster.

Councillor June French said Herefordshire Council was pleased to assist the PCT in providing the facility.

"We looked at what sites we owned in the centre of Leominster and chose a site that has good public transport links," she said.

"With the bus station opposite and its easy access for the town centre, this was considered to be the most suitable site.''