GIRLS' ANXIOUS WAIT AFTER NEEDLE ORDEAL

PARENTS OF two little girls face three months of worry waiting to see if
they have been infected with disease after pricking themselves with a used
hypodermic syringe found in the street.

Nicole Kelly, five, and her friend Chantelle Dallas, six, were playing in
the street just yards from their homes in Tanfields Grove, Corby, when they
found the syringe.

Thinking it must have belonged to a doctor or nurse, they both decided to
prick their legs with it.

The next day Chantelle confessed to her mother Nicola Dallas what she and
Nicole had done. Mrs Dallas immediately alerted Nicole's mum Annemarie
Kelly. Both girls had blood tests yesterday.

Mrs Kelly, 31, said: "We went to the doctors straight away and he took
blood tests.

"The girls will have to have another one in three months time to see of
there' s any infection.

"At first I could not believe that she picked it up " we have always
warned all of them not to pick anything up in the street. It is just so
frightening."

Both mums have been told hepatitis is the main concern. Mrs Dallas, 27,
said: "We have now told all the kids in the street not to pick up anything
from the ground."

Police and the council were alerted after the incident. A police spokesman
said: "We would always advise people if they come across this type of item
not to pick it up."