PLANS to provide fluoridated milk in schools to improve the state of children's teeth in a North-East borough have been shelved.

The Oral Healthcare of Children in Darlington Review Group reported to the council yesterday that a difference of professional opinion between two primary care trusts (PCTs) on the effective-ness of such a scheme means little progress can be made.

A fluoridated milk scheme is being run by Durham and Dales PCT, but Darlington PCT is sceptical about the benefits of running such a scheme in the town.

The review group hoped providing fluoridated milk would help improve dental health, after a report showed 56 per cent of five-year-olds in the town had experienced tooth decay, compared to 40 per cent nationally.

The review group reported back to Darlington Borough Council's Social Affairs and health scrutiny committee yesterday, with results which included the link between tooth decay and deprivation.

The report also showed that the majority of schools in the borough were providing water dispensers in classrooms to reduce tooth decay by encouraging children away from fizzy drinks.

The group also recommended that the committee meets the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee, along with representatives from both PCTs, to consider the arguments for and against fluoridated milk, and if necessary reconvene the review group in six months.

The report also suggests the committee considers carrying out a review of healthy eating, diet and problems of obesity in children.

Councillor Heather Scott, who headed the review group, said: "It's disappointing that the scheme has been shelved because there is this difference of opinion, but the committees need to hear both sides' points of view before a decision is made."