Wasteland where a young girl was stabbed by a hypodermic needle is a "secret haven" for drug users and under-age drinkers, says a Selby vicar.

The land where seven-year-old Sian Anthony had her upper arm pierced by the needle is next to St James's Church, in Audus Street.

Today, the Vicar of St James's, the Reverend David Woollard, said the trouble would persist until the land was put to more open use.

He said: "The site is owned by Selby District Council and is tucked away out of sight. Until it is developed in some way, it will continue to be a secret little haven where youngsters can gather to get up to mischief.

"I am horrified and saddened by this incident."

Mr Woollard said they had cut down some of the bushes to make the area more exposed following a history of trouble.

A hole had been put through in a church porch they had boarded up, windows smashed with bricks and a churchwarden was kicked when she tried to stop them.

He said: "We have had heroin addicts using the church boiler house. We put a grill over the entrance and locked the gate, but every now and then they kick it down."

Ironically, church officials are organising a barbecue and party on the wasteland later this month for several hundred local youngsters.

Mr Woollard said: "We will be combing the area and removing any needles and other rubbish."

The district council's chief housing officer, Steve Martin, said today the council had bought the land and vicarage from the church, and the land was surplus to requirements.

He said: "Building houses on it could solve the problem, but there is an access problem. We will have to have another look at it."

Meanwhile, Sian, a pupil at Selby Abbey Primary School, and her family, are awaiting test results after a blood sample was taken at York District Hospital.

She had been playing on the wasteland when she was approached by a group of six youths.

One of them allegedly picked up a syringe lying on the ground, said "This is for you", and threw it at her. Police said the needle came away and stuck in the terrified girl's upper right arm.

Updated: 15:30 Friday, June 01, 2001