A PENDLE group's fight to stop the Government introducing fluoride into water systems has received a major boost.

The national body Friends of the Earth has joined the campaign to oppose the fluoridation after its conference in Leicester. The Pendle group gained support with a presentation at the gathering.

The news has been welcomed by pressure group the National Pure Water Association (NPWA).

FoE co-ordinator for Pendle, Brian Jackson, said they were supported in their case by Friends of the Earth groups from Brighton and Milton Keynes.

He said: "The national group will now draw up a battle plan and say to the Government 'we are not having this'.

"There will be demonstrations, letter writing campaigns, and local authorities and strategies health authorities will be lobbied. The proponents of this motion will be targeted immediately."

As part of the Water Act, the Government want to introduce fluoride into the water supply.

In November last year they amended the bill to give the strategic health authorities the power to force water companies to add fluoride to supplies.

Mr Jackson said the group felt strongly about the issue because no consultation had taken place.

He said: "The groups have forced this issue due to strong feelings in the regions that the Government were pushing it through with little or no consultation or input from the public.

"The Government promised consultation but so far there has been none.

Liz Vaughan, chairman of the NPWA added: "We are delighted as the group has worked very hard and its time the issue was taken up by the central office."

Environmental groups oppose moves to introduce fluoride because they claim there are health risks associated with the substance.