AN event to provide residents with information on the reintroduction of fluoride into West Cumbria was packed out last week.

Fluoride Free Cumbria had to apologise to Cumbrian residents who were unable to access their meeting on March 14, as capacity for the venue, around 70, was achieved by the start at 7pm.

It was arranged by the group to provide information to local residents following the Secretary of State's instruction to reintroduce fluoride into West Cumbrian water following completion of the new United Utilities water treatment works at Williamsgate, near Cockermouth.

Paul Carr, chairman of the group said: “It demonstrates local people have very real concerns about the use of fluoride chemicals in their drinking water supply and a range of questions were put to an experienced panel throughout the evening."

In feedback following the event, one attendee said:  “I have been to more public meetings than I can recount, but none of them was as well conducted as the one I attended this evening at the Kirkgate Centre on the subject of the fluoridation of drinking water.

"Also the large audience was very well behaved. Congratulations to Paul Carr (the organiser) the chair (Dr. Ruth Balogh), the panellists and the audience.”

Fluoride Free Cumbria have a petition on their Facebook page demanding the right to consultation and personal consent.