NHS Hillingdon have confirmed Harefield's only dentist will close on March 31.

Since the Gazette publicised a month ago the fact Mr Melhuish's dental practice in Northwood Road, would close, the healthy authority had been striving to find an alternative solution in the village.

Yesterday (Tuesday), it was confirmed that this had been unsuccessful, and patients will have to find alternatives.

The NHS also said that information they had provided previously about the landlord of the property being the catalyst for the closure was incorrect, and Mr Melhuish's retirement had prompted the problem. However, the dentist surgery is not being made available by the landlord to the NHS for new dentists.

They added that other dentists had been in contact with regards to setting up a practice in the area, but this would be subject to finding suitable premises and acquiring planning permission, which could take months.

The PCT are set to discuss the issue at their board meeting at the end of this month.

Patients of Mr Melhuish seeking to register elsewhere in the borough can do so either by calling the PCT's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01895 488500 or visiting NHS Choices www.nhs.uk/dentists