MUCH space has been taken up in the pages of The Bolton News with arguments for and against the introduction of fluoride into Bolton's water, but so far I have not seen mentioned one of what I regard as one the most off-putting side effects of introducing fluoride.

Namely, the foul taste it leaves in the mouth after drinking the water afterwards.

It does not seem to matter if you use the water as it is, straight from the tap, or for making tea or coffee. You can't escape it. The unpleasant taste remains.

Some 20 years ago or more my family and I lived in the village of Culcheth, which lies between Bolton and Warrington.

The addition of fluoride to the drinking water in that area had been taking place for several years.

Whether or not it helped to prevent tooth decay is not proven. I have never seen any substantiated claims that it had, but there was no denying it ruined the taste of the water.

I remember that whenever we visited our old home town of Bolton, we always brought back with us to Culcheth several large plastic containers filled with Bolton's clear fresh water, so that we could enjoy the clean unadulterated taste of our tea or coffee once again.

I don't relish the idea of Bolton's water tasting like the water used to do at Culcheth! And I feel sure that the good people of Bolton will not enjoy the experience if we should do so either.

Don't say you were not warned.

Albert Hornby Ladybridge Bolton