DIRTY used needles were discovered by a disgusted mum and her young daughter along a busy road while on the school run.

Michelle Barnes, from Conway, Tolladine, was horrified to find the syringes as she walked her six-year-old daughter Leola to Stanley Road Primary School.

The 37-year-old mum-of-four is worried drug users are injecting behind the billboard on Midland Road and a child could unintentionally prick themselves on the discarded needles.

She said: "I don't judge anybody but when it comes down to people's safety it's a different story.

"Children like to be adventurous and some climb up on the mud, they like investigating but they don't see the risks involved.

"I don't judge people but it's how they are disposing of them that is the problem.

"They are just leaving them lying around its all wrong. It's selfish."

She wondered whether railings could be put up to stop people from hiding behind the advertising hoardings.

"It's been going on for a long time now.

"I can't imagine what else is behind those billboards.

"I had to shout over to one of the children to tell them they need to be careful because of the needles.

"It may be that they have been piling up behind there for a long time and are now beginning to fall between the gaps."

A spokesman for Worcester City Council said they would be sending a supervisor to the road today (Monday) to organise removing the needles.

"We would urge anyone who spots discarded needles to contact us straight away through the website worcester.gov.uk/report-it."

Swanswell, which delivers the alcohol and drug recovery service across Worcestershire, said it patrols several sites where needles have been found.

Sian Battle-Welch, Swanswell’s service manager, said: "We offer all our clients the opportunity to dispose of needles in a safe and responsible way.

"We’ll offer them a sharps box to take with them to put needles in immediately after use.

"This stores them safely and securely until they are returned, either to our offices or via pharmacies.

"When it’s returned we’ll issue a new box to our clients.

"When the sharps boxes are returned they’re disposed of as hazardous waste. If a client doesn’t accept the sharps box or return it to us we’ll ask them why not."

"Swanswell joins up with the police, GPs, Pharmacies and other relevant services to tackle problem alcohol and drug use across Worcestershire.

"Since we’ve taken over delivery of the service we’ve identified, and patrolled, several sites where needles have been found ensuring there’s information about our services in these areas.

"We engage with people who are using substances giving them encouragement and support - offering them the chance to change and be happy."