A Visitor to Teesside has told of her anger after finding needles discarded in a seaside car park.

Carole Osborne had gone to Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, for a day trip with about 30 members of her family, including her three-year-old grand-daughter, from her home in Newton Aycliffe.

But the find of syringes and needles put a slight damper on their day out.

Mrs Osborne, 50, said: "I found around four or five syringes in the big car park behind the old amusement park.

"What would have happened if my grand-daughter had picked them up?

"It was quite distressing and I am very annoyed by it. They were not even covered up and had been slightly buried under some sand so anyone could have accidentally trodden on them."

To prevent anyone from hurting themselves, Mrs Osborne picked the needles up carefully and placed them in a drinks can, before taking them home to dispose of.

She said: "It is absolutely ridiculous that people should use a public place to use their needles.

"I just want to make other parents or grandparents aware of the possible dangers."

A spokesman from Hartlepool Borough Council said: "We have a 24-hour needle collection hotline service that people can ring if they find syringes.

"We rely on the public to inform us about these situations so we can get there as quickly as possible.

"We aim to get there within at least two hours and in most instances well before that.

"Our advice to people is not to touch them but to contact us as quickly as possible."

Anyone who does find any needles in the Hartlepool area can contact (01429) 523333.