An NHS contract has now been secured at a dental practice in North Norfolk that had reopened without one after going into administration.

The former Compass Clinic surgery in Holt went into administration and closed unexpectedly earlier this year leaving patients scrambling for a dentist. 

It was then acquired by Damira Dental Studios, which has 42 other practices across the country. 

However, the group had said it would not be able to provide patients in Holt with an NHS service when it reopened in August but would be working to rectify this. 

The group has now succeeded in doing so and is currently prioritising all its patients with unfinished treatment, as well as those with dental emergencies.

The practice at Wells is expected to reopen in January next year.The practice at Wells is expected to reopen in January next year. (Image: Google Maps) Damira also took over the practice at the Wells Community Hospital on Mill Road in Wells-next-the-Sea, which Compass Clinic also used to operate.

That is currently closed and will reopen in January when refurbishment work has been completed.

A spokesman for Damira Dental Studios said: "We are delighted to have been awarded an NHS contract.

"We are currently prioritising all patients that have unfinished treatment and patients that are experiencing dental emergencies.

"We will then be able to resume routine care soon. Thank you for your patience during this time."

North Norfolk MP Steffan Aquarone, who advocated in the reinstatement of the surgeries, said in a Facebook post: "This is a huge relief to people in Wells and Holt and I'm grateful to colleagues at the Integrated Care Board, the administrators and of course Damira for the speed of their reaching this position. 

"It's likely NHS provision will initially only be at Holt owing to refurbishment in Wells.

"I really believe in the coming months we'll get to a point where the services on offer are better than they have been for some time."