THREE and four-year-olds across East Lancashire are being given fluoride tablets in an effort to reduce the number of youngsters with tooth decay.

The scheme, which has been introduced by both Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS trust and Burnley Healthcare Trust, was introduced as part of a regular four-year national survey to see whether five-year-olds' teeth are improving.

The scheme targets state nurseries which feed into primary schools which have especially poor dental records.

The highest had some youngsters with seven of their 20 milk teeth decayed, filled or missing.

It has become second nature for many of the youngsters now to take the tablets with their morning or afternoon snacks and milk.

Hilary Whitehead, co-ordinator of the Burnley trust scheme, said: "The damage is done by the age of five so we target the nurseries that feed into the primary schools that have high levels of dental disease."

Under the Burnley scheme, just over 1,000 children are taking part in 14 different nurseries. Although figures aren't yet available to show whether youngsters' teeth have improved, staff believe the tablets are already making a difference.