THE safety of two parks in Evesham has come under scrutiny after three children came into contact with discarded needles while playing.

The two families of the children have faced agonising waits for test results to ensure their children have not been infected by coming into contact with the needles.

The incidents, which took place within 11 days of each other, happened in Abbey Park and at the newly opened Jubilee Park, off Coronation Street.

Michelle Badham, of Mickleton, discovered a needle inside her two-year-old daughter Hayleigh’s shoe when they returned home from Abbey Park on March 28.

“She was running around in the park and sort of screamed. I took her home and she was screaming to have her shoes taken off.

"It was then the needle fell out and she had red marks on her feet. We waited 10 days for her test results.

“It is a shame because I think the Evesham parks are lovely.” After an agonising wait, Hayleigh was given the all clear.

Days later, in the new Jubilee Park and just two days after it had opened, Tristan Robinson, aged seven, and sister Chloe Robinson, 10, who live in Deacle Place, visited the park with their mother Michelle Craze.

When they returned home Mrs Craze washed their clothes and found a needle, with a cap on, in the machine.

She said: “When I looked at it I went white. We couldn’t be certain whether they had been pricked themselves.

"The park was the only place they had been to be able to pick up something like that on their own. They can’t be tested for six weeks now.”

Wychavon District Council, which is responsible for the park, said it was aware of the first incident.

Lynn Stevens, council parks officer, said: “It’s very upsetting for any parent when something like this happens – whoever disposed of this needle in an improper way should be ashamed of themselves.

“We carry out daily cleansing in our parks and as a precaution we have carried out extra cleansing in Abbey Park.

"We have never had issues like this before.”