I HAVE had many letters published in The Bolton News over a period of more than 40 years, and though many correspondents have disagreed with my views and conclusions, no one until now has questioned the veracity of my observations.

It was therefore of considerable concern to me that Pamela Barnes, Regional chairman of the charity Action for Sick Children, denied in a letter that her charity supported water fluoridation.

When I was a member of Bolton Council, I received, as did all councillors, a large volume of material on water fluoridation from both its supporters and its opponents.

Among the documents which I received was one which was published by the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority entitled "Key Facts About Fluoridation".

This document clearly states that, "bodies which have campaigned for fluoridation under the umbrella of the National Alliance for Equity in Dental Health include the Patients' Association, Action for Sick Children, Help the Aged, MENCAP and the UK Public Health Association".

My letter, to which Pamela Barnes objected, merely quoted this official publication.

Either Pamela Barnes isn't aware of the policy position of her own organisation, or a major public body has published and disseminated a clearly misleading document.

I would greatly welcome clarification on this matter, as I have never, in a long career in public life, been accused of making a false statement, and I am a little long in the tooth to start misleading people now.

Guy Harkin Wade Bank Bolton