A DAD is claiming that needle disposal boxes in public toilets are attracting addicts and dealers and at the same time risking children's lives.

Guy Berryman of Lydney said he sent his seven-year-old son into the toilet block while he waited outside in the car park behind Lydney's Newerne Street shops where the boy found a syringe.

"A neighbour came out with my son and informed me that he had stopped him picking it up from the floor," he said.

"A police officer was fortunately close by and we told him about it. The policeman then entered the toilet and found several other syringes. He collected them all and placed them in a box on the wall.

"I was shocked that this could happen in a toilet in Lydney. To my mind by placing these boxes where they are the local authority is encouraging drug addicts to use these toilets, knowing full well that they are also used by young children."

Mr Berryman said to his horror his son had reported the needle "looked just like the one they had just used at school for our jabs", which meant they would hold no fears for children who wanted to pick them up and play with them.

"What if he had done so and had stuck it into himself?" Mr Berryman asked, adding that he had written to the council asking them if they were aware of the dangers, which could also include children walking in while addicts were actually using the syringes.

•A spokesman for the council said they had every sympathy with Mr Berryman and his worries, but it was a no-win situation where they were trying their best to combat a huge problem in cooperation with the police and the community.

"We placed these sharps boxes in response to a problem which we have identified. Unfortunately it is a national problem, not just the Forest.

"We could be criticised too if we did not provide them."