A SHOCKED postmaster has found a container full of dirty syringes in the middle of Micklegate.

Paul Abbott, who runs Micklegate Post Office, found the container full of needles next to a post box on the pavement near his business.

He described the find as an example of "York's deteriorating culture."

Mr Abbott said he didn't know what the box was at first, but a member of staff did and brought it into the post office "for safety reasons." Staff at the nearby Turning Point drugs treatment and testing centre said the syringes definitely would not have come from there, as it does not run a needle exchange scheme.

A council spokesman pointed out it responds quickly to any complaint of discarded needles - and that Micklegate is swept daily.

"I don't know who would be responsible for this, but whoever it is has a lot to answer for," Mr Abbott said. "This is one of the main tourist drags into York and this sort of thing isn't a culture you want here, or anywhere else in the city.

"Sadly, we are seeing parts of York's culture deteriorating in front of us and I just hope it stops."

Mr Abbott said his main worry was over people's safety.

He said: "Lots of kids walk down this way. Kids are inquisitive and if they'd opened this box the consequences could have been disastrous."

He said that a lot of people "who seem to be under the influence of drugs" can be seen wandering around the Micklegate area, more so since the Turning Point centre opened.

"I realise drug addicts have to go somewhere, but perhaps there are more suitable places than this," he added.

But Turning Point in the north director Quentin Marris said: "We have no involvement with providing injecting equipment in North Yorkshire, though we support schemes that do." The nearest needle exchange to Micklegate is Compass, in Bridge Street.

A spokesman for Compass, an agency offering a wide range of services to people with drug problems, said he was unable to say whether the container had come from there.

"I will look into this straight away though," he said.

Anyone who spots discarded needles should phone the council on 01904 636000.

Updated: 11:04 Wednesday, October 24, 2001