Ice cream van heads to Parliament to call for Lincolnshire trained dentists
Supporters say Lincolnshire's shortage of NHS dentists will only be solved if the county can train more of its own.
An ice cream van that's toured Lincolnshire collecting over a thousand signatures has arrived in Westminster with a serious message: the county needs its first dental school.
The unusual campaign vehicle on the "Dental Deserts Tour", has been travelling around Lincolnshire gathering support for plans to train dentists at the University of Lincoln.
On Friday, the van - covered in messages from residents - is being taken to Parliament as campaigners try to persuade the Government to back the project with funded training places.
Along the way, organisers say they've heard some shocking stories.
Project manager Susie McPherson said the tour had highlighted just how frustrated many people are.
"We've heard from people who haven't been able to access dentistry for five years, people with no front teeth because they've not been able to see a dentist."
"People travelling across the country for NHS appointments, and others who have had no choice but to pay privately."
The University of Lincoln says it is ready to train dentists from 2027 and already has facilities being developed. What it now needs is Government approval and funded training places.
Campaigners believe a dental school could help tackle Lincolnshire's long-standing shortage of NHS dentists while giving local young people the chance to study dentistry without leaving the county.
After thousands of miles, countless conversations and a van full of signatures, supporters are hoping their message is finally heard in Westminster.