A SAFETY alert has been sparked on a housing estate after two youngsters were pricked as they played with a discarded syringe.

Seven-year-old Matthew Warren and his friend Corrie Maine, five, found the needle in an alleyway between Holden Fold and Lilac Grove, on the St James' Estate, Darwen.

Their worried parents rushed them to Blackburn Royal Infirmary for blood tests and injections after they arrived home holding the syringe, which is now being analysed.

Matthew's mum Maureen, of Ivinson Road, Darwen, said: "Children will be children and pick these things up.

"Both of them had been scratched by it.

"It is really worrying that these things are just left lying around.

"We still don't know if there are any other children who have touched it. "

Both families will now have to wait six months before they can get the all clear from doctors.

The youngsters will have to have two more jabs against Hepatitis B.

Maureen added: "Children need to be warned not to go anywhere near these needles if they see them lying around but to tell their parents straight away."

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council advised anybody worried about discarded syringes to pick up a leaflet from their council information centre.

It contains information about the risks, first aid treatments, what to do if you find a needle and an emergency helpline number.

Anybody who finds a discarded needle can call the council on 01254 585921.

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