P OSBOURNE writes about the "hysterical ramblings" of the anti-fluoride lobby (BEN, January 5). I rather think it is the members of the fanatical pro-fluoride lobby who are the hysterical ones. No-one is preventing these people from taking fluoride if they so wish it - they have the choice of imbibing fluoride in the form of tablets. Yet they want to deny us who do not want our drinking water polluted with this chemical the same freedom of choice! P. Osbourne also doubts that the majority of Bolton people oppose the fluoridation of their water supply. A few years ago Bolton held a referendum concerning fluoride and an overwhelming majority voted against! When I pay my inflated yearly water bill I insist on being provided with pure water and not medicine!

Lawrence Holmes

Higher Bridge Street, Bolton

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