Hundreds of people have backed a campaign in Shropshire to fight moves to put fluoride in the water supply.

Whixall Women’s Institute has been concerned about the health implications and had launched a protest against the proposals.

A petition was launched to support the cause and two Women’s Institute members took on the tough challenge of sorting out the collection of signatures.

One of those involved, Miriam Mottershead, estimated more than 300 people had signed the petition.

The last day to get the petitions in was last Friday and the exact number of people who have put their name on the paper is still being totalled up.

Mrs Mottershead said she and fellow member Mary Hough had taken on the petition because there were a lot of formalities with the WI to go through and it would be quicker going through individuals.

The petition is to be handed over to North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson, to see how he can help and voice their opposition, and possibly to Severn Trent Water.

Mrs Mottershead said she was pleased with the way the petition has gone.

WI members helped collect the signatures and copies of the petition were also put in shops and local post offices.

The WI is concerned about an amendment to the Water Bill through Parliament to get fluoride added to water.

People had signed the petition saying they wished to “protest against the addition of fluoride to our water supply. We regard this as medication without consent. This is a breach of the European laws of human rights”.

The statement with the petition goes on to say that nearly all the European countries, with the exception of the UK, had rejected fluoridisation.

It said fluoride remained in the body and could affect the kidneys, liver and pancreas, especially in diabetics and those drinking large amounts of water.

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