ULTRAVIOLET lights could be used to foil drug users' attempts to inject themselves in public toilets.

The radical move - which would prevent addicts finding a vein - is being considered by Worcester's environmental health department after an alarming increase in the number of potentially lethal needles found in city toilets.

Principal environmental health officer Martin Gillies said the move was one of many being considered to stem the "rocketing" problem of abandoned syringes in public places.

During the past five years, the environmental health division has seen an increase of more than 800 per cent in the number of complaints from people who have discovered needles.

"Abandoned needles are a growing problem in Worcester," he said.

"One of the initiatives we're seriously looking at is to install ultraviolet lamps over toilet cubicles, which stops addicts shooting up as they can't see their veins.

"But a large number of discarded needles didn't come from drug addicts, but came from people suffering with medical conditions, such as diabetes."

He added council staff had also noticed the increasing number of abandoned needles, with more syringes being found by road sweepers and workmen while emptying bins.

"We've also had a number of injuries involving refuse collection staff who've been pricked by needles sticking out of rubbish bags, which is very worrying," Mr Gillies said.

"The problem's rocketing and we're looking at ways to overcome it."

The department has also teamed up with drug support group Turning Point Worcester Drug Link in producing literature promoting the safe disposal of used needles.

Jenny Crouch, drug worker at the group, said with more and more people in the city injecting drugs it was inevitable more syringes were going to be found.

"We have an exchange scheme meaning used needles can be disposed of safely and can be swapped for new ones," she said.

"The drug problem is growing in the city and this is one of the many symptoms of the problem. We welcome the idea of ultraviolet lighting."