DENTAL patients in Royal Wootton Bassett will still be able to visit the popular Ian Grant Dental Surgery after it was rescued from closure by a dental hygienist and dental nurse.

Lizzy Hudd and Debbie Reid took on the High Street surgery just weeks before the incumbent owners were due to close the practice for personal reasons, and now expect to continue to provide the high quality care service residents had become used to.

The practice was officially opened last month, with dozens turning up for the open day to welcome the new arrivals.

"We made 100 goody bags to give away on the open day and we only had three left over, and that was only because people refused to take more than one per family," said Lizzy.

"There's a really good sense of community support there which is really really nice, and it's a very very caring community which is really something we were looking for.

"We really want to continue the practice's reputation for being really approachable and a friendly place for people to come to."

The 34-year-old and her business partner decided to set up their own practice to realise a career-long ambition to open their own surgery.

"I was a dental nurse and I did that for about four years before I did my training to become a dental hygienist," said Lizzy.

"I was based in Market Lavington and in Devizes and as I did that I eventually started thinking about opening my own practice.

"I had met Debbie while working at another practice and I got to know her very well, and eventually we thought we'd open a surgery together.

"At first we did look at taking on an existing practice in Swindon but it wasn't really what we were looking for.

"Then we heard about Grants and we heard that it might have to close. In fact they had told all their patients they were closing, and they even had a closing party where they explained it wasn't quite closing but they did want some closure between the existing practice and us coming in."

The pair only agreed to take on Grants a few weeks before they started operating from there.

Lizzy said: "It all moved very quickly. It was only two or three weeks before we opened that we new we would be taking it on.

"We employ a dentist who works at the practice and so far it's been a very smooth transition."

To find out more about the surgery or to make an appointment, call 01793 852360.