CROWD controllers were drafted in to monitor thousands of people who have been queuing to register for a new NHS dentist.

The prospective patients waited in the cold for hours to make sure they got their names listed at Rossendale Dental Health Centre, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall.

Practice manager Lorraine Connolly said: "I asked my husband, Edward and the receptionist's husband, Sean Noon to help out during the registration period because the crowds were getting very big and the room was getting packed-out with people.

"We didn't want there to be any accidents or anything like that so we thought it would be wise to ask for a bit of help in keeping the crowds controlled.

"I went out and told people that there would be a place for everybody but they still queued in the cold because they wanted to make sure they were registered.

"On the first registration day we were supposed to finish at 9pm but there were still people waiting so we couldn't tell them to go away after they had been standing in the queue for hours so we ended up staying until 11pm."

"The builders even had to leave their work because they couldn't get anything done, but now things have quietened down a bit they are back to get the surgery ready for the opening."

The registration period is now over, but managers have promised people will be able to register when they officially open on Monday.