A three-year-old boy fell onto a needle in a children’s play area and has been tested for HIV and Hepatitis B.

His devastated mother, who does not wish to be named, has told of the horrifying moment she found a syringe sticking out of her son’s hand after he tripped and fell at a popular park in Lower Road, Faversham, used by hundreds of kids every week.

He was taken to the William Harvey Hospital after the incident on Sunday, where they were told he needed tests for HIV and Hepatitis B and now faces six months of treatment.

His mum said: “It was the last day of the summer holidays so I wanted to take the children out for the day and we decided to go to the park.

“It all happened so quickly but they were just playing and my son let out a scream. I ran over and he had a needle sticking out of his left hand.

“I couldn’t believe it and did not know what to do.

“What sick and twisted individual would leave a needle laying around in a children’s play area?

“What sick and twisted individual would leave a needle laying around in a children’s play area?"

“I am angry and upset but I don’t know how to feel really. I feel numb and can't believe that this has happened in my home town.

“The council says they are going to increase their patrols but only until the end of September and I’m not sure what difference this will make.

“I just want to warn other parents about this incident so that they can check parks before their children play there."

A council spokesman said: “We have been in contact with the parent of the child and have started an accident investigation.

“We are deeply concerned and disappointed at the thoughtlessness of anyone who would leave such an article in a children’s play area.

“All of our play areas are regularly inspected for safety by our environment wardens and litter picked by our grounds maintenance contractor Blenwood.

“We have made our environment wardens and the Swale Community Safety Unit aware of the issue, and urge anyone who may come across discarded needles to report it to us straight away so we can remove them safely.”