A FIVE-year-old girl was almost pricked by a dirty drugs needle dumped only a few metres from a York junior school.

Megan Russell, of The Garlands, Rawcliffe, York, had been out cycling with her family when her father, Barry, spotted the needle in the road in Malton Way, Rawcliffe, near the grass verge.

Worried that children might pick up the needle, Mr Russell stopped and kicked it into the gutter at the side of the road.

But the needle landed on Megan's foot.

Her mother, Julie, removed her sandals and examined her feet and legs for signs that the needle had broken the skin.

She said: "The cul-de-sac where the needle was found is on the school route for many children who go to Clifton Without Junior School. A child could have easily picked it up when they were on their way to school."

She said that the incident had upset Megan, and they had decided not to take her to the doctors because they felt it would frighten her more. They found no puncture marks on her skin.

Mr Russell left the needle in the gutter and contacted the council to come and take it away.

Mrs Russell said: "It is the first time I have ever noticed anything like that in this area. It's frightening when you think what could have happened."

She said that her husband had shown the needle to Megan and their two other children, Lewis, ten, and Natalie, 11, and told them if they saw one again they must not touch it but should tell an adult immediately.

"I want to make other parents aware that there might be needles in the area so that a child doesn't really get hurt," she added.

Mr Russell said: "Megan is quite traumatised. I am very angry about it.

"I have lived in the area for about 20 years and I didn't expect to find a drugs needle so near a school for young children."

A police spokeswoman said: "If someone finds any drug paraphernalia they should leave it where it is and contact the council's environment services to take it away. The worst thing they can do is pick it up as they put themselves at risk.

"They should also let the police know that the area is being used by drug-users."

A City of York Council spokesman said: "Clearly this is a social problem. The area is swept frequently and we issue advice to parents and other residents about what to do when needles are discovered.

"Anyone finding needles should phone the hotline on 01904 625751."

Updated: 10:08 Monday, May 05, 2003