A Cockermouth dentist plans to build a new £750,000 practice in town.

Derwent Dental Care has outgrown its existing premises on Kirkgate, said owner Paul Rowlands.

The company has bought land off Wakefield Road and applied to Allerdale council for planning permission to build a new practice.

Mr Rowlands said: "With all these new houses there's a need for increased provision, hopefully we are going to meet that need.

"From January we will have four dentists and four hygienists. But we have only got two surgeries and are having to work split shifts some days, staying open from 8am to 8pm, to accommodate this.

"The new practice would have five surgeries. It also means we will be able to offer more services which means people will no longer have to travel."

Mr Rowlands bought the Kirkgate dental practice two years ago. He plans to sell the building.

The new site is on a flood zone and measures have been included in the design to make the planned building flood resilient.