PETER Thurnham and Wanderers skipper Gudni Bergsson joined forces in a bid to boost Bolton to the top of the league in dental health.

Latest figures have shown Bolton's five-year-olds as being at the bottom of a national league table for fillings along with Manchester and Burnley.

And Mr Thurnham, who celebrated his 5,000th day as MP for Bolton North East on Friday, decided to use the special anniversary to do something about the town's unwanted accolade.

He has now begun handing out 5,000 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste to youngsters in the town beginning with pupils at Eagley Infants School in Bromley Cross yesterday.

He was joined there by Bolton Wanderers ace Berggson to help underline the message that children should brush their teeth regularly and cut down on sweets.

Mr Thurnham told the the youngsters at a special assembly yesterday: "I'm sure everyone here looks after their teeth but we are giving away a tube of toothbrush and an extra brush. Each one has a lucky number on and you could win a prize from Bolton Wanderers."

Mr Thurnham said: "I have another 37 schools to get through so I am going to have my work cut out over the next couple of weeks."

Eagley Infants headteacher, Marian Kershaw backed Mr Thurnham's efforts. She said: "We don't have a problem here as far as tooth decay is concerned. We do not have a tuck shop and we don't allow children to have snacks."

Mr Thurnham has called for a parliamentary debate on children's health and raised Bolton's dental record with the Leader of the Commons, Tony Newton.

Latest figures for 1993/94 show that five-year-olds in Bolton suffered an average 3.36 missing, filled or decayed teeth - nearly twice the national average of 1.74.

Goldsborough Healthcare, United Utilities and Vernacare have sponsored Mr Thurnham's initiative.

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