IT’S a matter of public shame that Bolton is one of the 10 worst places nationally for children under 10 admitted to hospital to have decayed teeth removed.

The town had 478 children in 2014/15 needing this, meaning there were hundreds of others who had decayed teeth treated by dentists.

Poor diet, fast food, sugar and fizzy drinks always have a bad effect on teeth. You see the damage to young bodies there first.

The answer lies with parents, to give children a better diet, offer water instead of sugary drinks, and help them clean their teeth and gums properly.