A MUM is facing an anxious wait after her son accidentally pricked himself with a used needle.

Kaden Milnewas playing with his friends outside Greenstead Library on Friday evening.

The ten-year-old and his friends found a needle in the bush outside the library in Hawthorne Avenue and, unaware of the potential dangers, picked it up and accidentally broke the skin of his middle finger with it.

Kaden, of Ashdown Way, was brought home by a friend’s mum, and was taken to Colchester General Hospital straight away.

It is not yet known whether he has contracted any diseases, such as hepatitis or HIV, and he must return to hospital for extra tests.

His mum, Anna Springett, said even though there are cameras in the area where her son was playing, more needs to be done to educate children on the dangers of picking up needles.

She said: “The mum who brought Kaden home said she threw the needle down a drain straight away.

“I called 111 as I have never dealt with a situation like that and they told me to take him straight to A&E.

“He was a bit distressed and got a little upset at the hospital, but children don’t know what the risks are.”

Miss Springett has spoken to Hazelmere Junior School, which her son attends, and the school has agreed to hold an assembly to raise awareness among the pupils.

She also approached Colchester Council to see if more could be done to ensure needles are cleared from public places.

Kayden will have to have a series of blood tests and take anti-viral drugs for a number of months in case he has been infected.

Miss Springett added: “He had tests for HIV and observations at the hospital but he has to go back in a month for more tests, and then go back again six months after.

“We won’t know until he has had all the blood tests.

“Users are also dropping their needles into bins - there is a chemist close by where people can drop off sharps, so why do they have to use the bins?

“It could have been a baby that picked it up and didn’t know the dangers.”

She said Kaden had not shown any signs of illness over the weekend, but it is too early to tell whether there has been any long- term damage to his health.

She said: “I think in areas like that where children are in and out the council should be checking a bit more.

“Children are children, they are going to play in these sorts of areas.”

His mum also called the police to make them aware of the used needles.

Colchester Council said it would arrange for the removal and disposal of discarded syringes and other drug related items in public places.

Any sightings can be reported through the council’s website.