A COUNTRYSIDE ranger has undergone medical tests after accidentally stabbing himself with a used syringe discarded on a County Durham nature trail.

The syringe was hidden inside an old sock lying among rubbish on the Auckland Walk, between Spennymoor and Canney Hill.

When the ranger picked up the sock he pricked himself with the needle.

A Durham County Council spokesman confirmed yesterday that the man had received precautionary medical treatment, but declined to comment further on his condition.

There is a risk that diseases such as HIV - which can lead to Aids - and hepatitis can be contracted through dirty needles.

The accident prompted Durham Voluntary Countryside Ranger Service (DVCRS) to issue a warning to all its volunteers about the dangers of used hypodermic needles, used by addicts injecting hard drugs such as heroin.

The warning states that diseases can die within an hour of coming into contact with air, but adds that any needles found "must be treated as freshly dropped".

People finding used syringes at any of the county's beauty spots are urged to immediately contact the nearest ranger.

Staff rangers all carry "sharps kits" - a container commonly used in hospitals and medical centres for holding dangerous needles until they can be disposed of safely.

A spokesman for the DVCRS added: "Advice is simple - when picking up any litter always wear leather gloves and use litter pickers."

Harry Cronin, manager of drug and alcohol services at County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, yesterday urged people not to pick up discarded needles.

He said: "The risk of HIV or hepatitis infection is very low. You are more likely to contract a blood infection, because it is a dirty needle which has been left out in the open.

"If someone does prick their finger they should run the wound under cold water to encourage it to bleed then contact their GP or accident and emergency department.