A FAMILY faces an agonising wait for HIV test results after a little girl pricked her hand on a hypodermic needle as she played near her home.

Lauren Elizabeth Meale had to spend most of her fourth birthday in hospital undergoing health checks after falling on a discarded syringe the day before.

The toddler was playing with a friend in West Lane, Woodhouse Close Estate, Bishop Auckland, when she fell in the garden of an empty property.

Her family must now wait until June to find out if she has contracted the HIV virus or hepatitis B or C from the needle, which they fear was used for injecting drugs.

Mother Stacey Meale, 19, said: "She said she'd just fallen but the next day she told her grandad Gordon it was a needle like doctors use on TV.

"We immediately rushed her to Bishop Auckland General Hospital, she couldn't understand all the fuss but we're worried sick."

Lauren had to stay at the hospital from 1pm to 9pm for tests but was able to go home for two hours for a birthday party.

Mrs Meale said: "Drugs users are ruining this estate. There must be a way for the council to get these people away from family homes. Why should we have to go through this hell?"

Michael Kelleher, head of neighbourhood operations for Wear Valley District Council, said: "As soon as the incident was reported, we sent street wardens to the estate to clear away anything suspect, they have special safety clothing and equipment to remove such items.

"Drugs hot-spots, like parts of Woodhouse Close Estate, are thoroughly inspected at least once a week."

Anyone concerned about discarded drugs paraphernalia should call Wear Valley District Council on (01388) 765555, during office hours, or their nearest police station at other times.