A MOTHER today warned parents to be on alert after her child almost picked up discarded needles.

Six-year-old Sarah Brown was playing on Railway Road, Darwen, when she put her hand through a fence next to the A&M Bargains store.

Mother, Sharon saw she was reaching for two needles and pulled her away just in time.

Sharon, 28, from Marsh Terrace, said: "I couldn't believe it. If she had picked those up we could have had to wait for months to see if she was infected with HIV.

"They were lying there and of course kids are going to want to pick them up to see what they are."

Sharon, who has two more children aged three and 11, voiced her concerns for other children.

She said: "It's so dangerous because loads of kids play around that area and it shouldn't be happening."

Owner of A&M Bargains, Amanda Mayman, said: "It's the first time I've heard of needles in the area but there's a huge problem with cans being thrown over the fence and people sitting on the steps at night and then throwing all their rubbish over.

"We had a big clear out in October and I wore plastic gloves just in case."

Sharon called police to the scene to remove the needles.

DC John Entwistle, of Darwen CID, said: "There isn't a problem in Darwen, no more than in any other town.

"It is very dangerous to leave needles around and we would encourage people to dispose of them safely."

Councillor Dave Smith, of Sunnyhurst ward, said the people who left the needles were 'irresponsible'.

He said: "It's outrageous that these things are left around and that some people are that irresponsible.

"It's very sad that this has happened and it's not good for the town."

Julie Slater, manager of Snowdrops beauty on Railway Road, said: "In the few months we've been here, I've seen two or three needles at the back of our building.

"It's very worrying because there are loads of kids playing in the area and, especially when its icy, they could easily slip and fall on to one."