BOLTON has moved a step closer to having fluoride added to its water supply.

Health bosses are preparing to sign up to become members of the North-west Fluoridation Evaluation Group.

The body will decide whether to launch a public consultation into plans to fluoridate Bolton's water.

Jan Hutchinson, director of public health for Bolton's Primary CareTrust, said: "This is all part of the process. We won't be debating the rights and wrongs of fluoridation, but what would the costs be and what changes would be needed to water treatment plants.

"We're keen for a decision to be made because we'd like a public consultation and to resolve this issue."

PCT chiefs, who are responsible for NHS dental provision in Bolton, have said they would support the addition of fluoride into water in a bid to improve the poor state of children's teeth.

The majority of dentists are also pro-fluoride because youngsters have some of the worst dental problems in the country.

Children in Bolton's poorest areas have at least four teeth missing or rotting, according to a study carried out in 98 primary schools betwen January and July last year.

Five-year-olds in the former Central ward, which includes areas such as Hall i' th' Wood, have 4.2 teeth damaged by decay.

Even in the best-performing ward, Bromley Cross, the average five-year-old has 1.08 missing teeth, fillings or tooth decay, which is above the Government target of one per child.

Chris Brooks, leading NHS dentist and member of the Bolton Dental Society, said: "We're sure, from the evidence in the West Midlands and other areas that have added fluoride, that there would be a significant reduction in tooth decay among children.

"We would support any move to promote its use in Bolton."

But Bolton North-east MP David Crausby is against the proposals and is calling for a referendum of the issue.

He said: "I'm only interested in a real consultation and that needs to be a referendum, where everyone is asked rather than a select group of people.

"I'm concerned about the principle that the public has the right to decide what they consume and regardless of whether fluoride is good for you, it's clearly mass medication and shouldn't be forced on people."