BOLTON MP David Crausby is warning Ministers against introducing compulsory fluoridation of water.

And the MP wants a referendum in Bolton before any such move and has pointed out that some experts believe fluoride in water can cause illnesses such as cancer, brittle bones and Downs Syndrome.

His calls come after it emerged that a Government study into dental health to be published in July will say that the practice would improve the state of children's teeth.

The North-west does not have fluoride in water and its young people have some of the worst teeth in the country. The issue has deeply split people in the region and any recommendation to bring in fluoridation is likely to cause a Cabinet split.

Bolton North-east MP Mr Crausby has contacted Public Health Minister Yvette Cooper urging her to look at all research available on fluoridation and not just the Government study.

A group of of North-west councils opposing fluoridation says that the NHS study was too narrow while the World Health Organisation has raised doubts about the effect of putting fluoride in water.

Mr Crausby said: "I shall be urging the Minister to consider all of the scientific research available on the issue of fluoridation before she makes her final decision.

"The study concludes that fluoride could help to improve children's teeth. We all agree that there is a need to prevent dental decay in children but this could be achieved by adding fluoride to school milk or giving children fluoride tablets while at school.

"When I was a child, I was given orange juice, cod liver oil and milk at school and, if fluoridation is specially aimed at children, why can't we just concentrate on children as we did in those days?

"Unfortunately, whenever MPs speak out against fluoridation, we are automatically accused by the powerful pro-fluoride lobby of being against helping prevent tooth decay in children from deprived social backgrounds.

"This is designed purely to stifle debate and is complete and utter rubbish.

"Most European and Scandinavian countries have stopped adding fluoride to public drinking water or decided against it because of the possible health risks.

"Contrary to public perception, not all doctors or dentists are in favour of fluoridation. Opponents believe that it is linked to illnesses such as cancer, Downs Syndrome, brittle bones and the permanent mottling of the teeth.

"The main question for me in the whole debate on fluoridation is the question of choice. Everyone should have the right to choose and I firmly believe in the individual freedom to choose.

"Water is essential to life and we have no other choice but to drink it and we should therefore have a say in what is artificially added to it.

"I shall be lobbying the Minister hard to ensure that legislation does not ride roughshod over the expression of individual choice and insisting on proper consultation with the people of Bolton before any decisions to fluoridate public drinking water are finalised."