Fluoride water plans considered

Many children have tooth decay by the age of five

Thousands more homes in Cumbria could have fluoride added to their tap water to tackle the problem of tooth decay.

Primary Care Trust bosses said 47% of children in the county suffered from tooth decay by the age of five.

Currently 130,000 homes in the county have fluoridated water and health chiefs are considering expanding the programme to cover more households.

But campaigners said studies had shown fluoride can have a detrimental effect on the body and does not fight decay.

The county's primary care trusts will decide on Thursday whether to consider the move, which would have to be the subject of a public consultation.

Dr John Ashton, Cumbria's Director of Public Health, said: "The vast majority of doctors and dentists in the UK endorse the fluoridation of drinking water as a safe way to improve dental health.

"Fluoride is already found naturally in water.

"Fluoridation schemes adjust the amount to the optimum level for protecting teeth."