IT'S official - 12-year-old children in Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich have the best teeth in the north west.

Following a research programme undertaken on behalf of the North West Regional Health Authority, it has been revealed that out of all the localities studied, central Cheshire is the best area for dental health in 12-year-old students.

On average children have 0.73 - just over half a tooth - decayed, missing or filled..

In contrast the same age group in St Helens and Knowsley has 1.70 - almost two teeth - decayed, missing or filled teeth.

Heather Pope, medical director for the Cheshire Community Healthcare NHS Trust and a community services dentist, said: "It's wonderful to be the best in the north west, but we are not complacent and intend to improve these statistics by continuing to screen local school children and provide them with first class dental treatments when required."

Each year the community dental service of the trust carries out a research programme into the dental decay rates for local children, and this time 12-year-old school children were studied.

Dental staff visited high schools and examined groups of students chosen randomly in a bid to represent their age group across central Cheshire.

The results of the study were then submitted to the North West Regional Health Authority, which collected similar data from across the north west and Mersey area.

A spokesman for the trust added: "A significant percentage of these results is due to the presence of fluoride in the drinking water within the area.

"Children living in Crewe, Nantwich and Alsager have even better decay rates than those living in Winsford or Northwich."

htutt@guardiangrp.co.uk