DENTISTS are hoping to see a lot more bright smiles in St Helens as children are being given the chance to win a unique prize.

St Helens and Knowsley Health have launched a competition to encourage children to register with a dentist.

The competition winner will be invited to London, with a parent, to visit the House of Commons and be treated to lunch with their local MP in the Members Dining Room.

All children aged 12 and 13 are being invited to enter by designing a poster to encourage people to visit their dentist regularly.

Dental facilitator Chris Cassidy explained: "It is important that everyone, young and old, registers with a dentist to teach them the importance of regular check-ups and identify any early problems with teeth.

"All entrants must be registered with a dentist themselves and we are looking forward to seeing their ideas."

Application forms are available from all St Helens schools, or from Chris Cassidy at St Helens and Knowsley Health, Cowley Hill Lane, St Helens WA10 2AP. The closing date is Friday, July 10.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.