HAVING been delivered with the aid of melted snow, I survived eight years of drinking well water, which, apart from containing the odd mouse or frog, various protozoa, fungi and bacteria, was quite wholesome.

Water from the village pump was eventually declared unfit and supplies were made by cart until pipes were laid.

Thereafter I continued to poison myself with tobacco smoke, petroleum fumes, asbestos, herbicides, insecticides, germicides, hormones, sunlight, poor diet and alcohol -to name a few - until about 30 years ago, when I determined to end it all by cleaning my teeth daily with fluoride toothpaste.

To what extent fluoride has contributed to my demise I cannot say, but of one thing we can be sure: "If the drink don't get you the devil he will!"

John A Turner Stonesteads Way Bromley Cross