TOWN hall bosses are to get their teeth into the problem of tooth decay and water fluoridation again.

They have agreed to take up the controversial issue once more following an appeal from the National Alliance for Equity in Dental Health.

Campaigners say that water fluoridation has been proven beyond doubt to be safe and to massively reduce tooth decay. They want the Government to change the law and force water companies to introduce fluoride when asked by local residents to do so.

Only 13 out of 123 health districts in Britain meet the Government's target of one decayed tooth per five-year-old child by 2003. Nine of these have fluoride in their water supply.

Bury and Rochdale is well down the league in 82nd position, with 1.95 fillings or extractions per five-year-old.

Bury councillors have asked the health scrutiny and review panel to consider the matter, and invite representatives from North West Water and Bury and Rochdale Health Authority, which is in favour of fluoridation, to attend. Its findings will then go on to full council.