A WORCESTER councillor says he would be amazed if dangerous syringes were being dumped in public places by diabetics.

Mike Layland said he was 'very surprised' at a remark by a city environmental health chief who said abandoned needles were not just dumped in public places by drug addicts.

Martin Gillies, principal environmental health officer, told the Worcester Evening News earlier this week, that those with medical conditions including diabetes were also leaving highly dangerous syringes in public places.

He said the problem of discarded needles in the city was 'rocketing' putting the public and workmen, such as binmen at risk.

Since 1995, the council has seen an 800 per cent increase in complaints about needles being found by members of the public.

But the councillor, who has a nephew and a number of friends who are diabetic, said he was surprised at Mr Gillies' comments as every diabetic he knew was very careful.

And his comments were backed by a city diabetic.

"People I know who are diabetic are very responsible," said Coun Layland.

"I don't know of one who would just throw them down. I'd like to know where they were found.

"It's possible the needles are being left by diabetics, but I'd be very surprised."

Bill Hartnett, spokesman for the national charity Diabetes UK, said he hoped diabetics took the necessary precautions of disposing of needles properly.

"We can't say for certain they all are, so I would urge all sufferers to be conscientious," he said.

But diabetic Katie Lettley of Raleigh Close, Dines Green, said people with the condition were made extremely aware of health and hygiene by medical staff.

She said sufferers would not discard syringes or needles in public places.

"How could he know they were diabetics - maybe they were syringes stolen from diabetics?" she said.

"We're provided with yellow 'sharps' boxes from our doctors in which to put our needles and have pen-like syringes which we can snap the needles off with needle clippers.

"Diabetics know they have to be aware of hygiene and wouldn't inject themselves in public places."