A REFERENDUM on controversial plans to fluoridate Hampshire water supplies could be a step closer.

Councillors in Southampton will next week vote over whether to call on South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) to ask affected residents if they want fluoride added to their water supplies.

The move is a major boost for the Daily Echo-backed campaign for a public vote on fluoridation to let the people have the final say on the highly-contentious plans.

Anti-fluoridation campaigners have hailed the move as a hugely significant in the fight against the scheme because South-ampton City Council was previously the only local authority to support fluoride. But the health authority insists it will make no difference to the decision, which was made unanimously by its 12 board members last February.

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