BOLTON people opposed to fluoridation of water have been urged to write to Bolton MP David Crausby in a bid to force a public inquiry on the issue. Councillors from around the North-west met in Bolton yesterday to draw up battle plans against new Government moves to add fluoride to tapwater. Today, the chairman of NW Councils Against Fluoridation, Cllr Noel Spendlove sent out a rallying call.

He said: "Residents opposed to fluoride should write to their MPs expressing their fears and concerns. If we want to make our case we must act now.

"Scientific evidence about the adverse effects of fluoridation is being ignored. The Government is just not listening. This is an important issue and people must be given a choice."

Reports

The Bolton North East MP says he has already received scores of letters from people opposed to fluoridation.

And he will present all letters he receives on the issue to Junior Health Minister John Denham at a meeting next Tuesday.

Councillors at yesterday's meeting were shown detailed reports from senior Indian health expert Professor A.K. Susheela and a video.

The NWCAF has resolved to write to Health Minister Tessa Jowell urging her to order a public inquiry on fluoridation.

Horwich's Cllr Betty McCracken was elected as a member of the NWCAF.

Representatives from South Ribble, South Lakeland, Blackburn with Darwen, Liverpool, Preston, Carlisle and Barrow were at the meeting.

In response to the meeting, the National Alliance for Equity in Dental Health issued a statement condemning NWCAF, claiming it was unrepresentative of councils in the region.

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