A MOTHER faces the anguish of an AIDS test after she was stabbed with a hypodermic needle as she went dog walking.

The 45-year-old, who does not want to be named because of fears of reprisals, was walking a friend's pet in the early hours when she came across two youths injecting themselves in their arms.

One of the youths ran off but his friend laughed hysterically before stabbing her in the right arm with the needle and then running away.

The victim, who has a 17-year-old son, started to suffer heart palpitations and had to be taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital by ambulance following the attack in Alfred Street, Moses Gate.

Doctors dressed the wound and then gave her a hepatitis jab. She must now undergo a further four injections over the next few months until she can be given the all clear. She also faces the trauma of an AIDS test.

The woman, who lives in Bury Road, Breightmet, had been baby-sitting her godson's two young sons when she took the family's German Shepherd puppy for a walk. Since the attack she has found it difficult to sleep and is anxious that she could have been infected with hepatitis or AIDS. She said: "I think it was really stupid that I went out at that time of night now, but I thought I would be fine with the dog.

"The dog was on a long lead and he went round the corner before I did and gave a big yelp which made me think he had stood on glass, but now I think the lads must have kicked him.

"Ther next thing I knew I had been stabbed. The whole thing happened in a flash.

"It was very painful and I couldn't believe what he had done."

She added: "He was a maniac and must have been out of his head to do such a thing.

"I can't stop worrying about what I might have caught."

Doctors told the woman, who does not work, that the attacker had probably injected her with his own blood after taking drugs himself.

Hepatitis leads to inflammation of the liver and is a common problem among drug users as it can be transmitted through contaminated blood when needles are shared.

The attack happened on Sunday night but details have only just been released.

Police confirmed they were investigating the attack and anyone with information on the youth, who was aged about 20 and wearing a khaki jacket, should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.