NEW dentists are to be trained in Southend in to combat the growing shortage across the country.

The University of Essex in conjunction with Queen Mary College, part of the University of London, has been successful in gaining funding for 20 dental chairs at the new building, now under construction on the old Odeon Cinema site in the High Street.

An undisclosed figure has been gained from the Higher Education and Skills Council to set up the new facility as the university continues to expand the range of courses it plans to offer within the next two years.