THE families of two young boys living in fear of AIDS after they cut themselves with junkies' needles are set to sue Bolton Council. They claim the authority failed - despite repeated warnings from residents - to remove syringes dumped on wasteground where Braden Sutton and Alex Green, both aged five, pricked themselves earlier this week. Braden's mum, Tracy Sutton, 27, told the BEN: "This is something we must do for our boys and the rest of the kids here. If that area had been kept clean we wouldn't be facing this nightmare."

The two schoolboys cut themselves "sword fighting" with needles they discovered behind their council houses in Hollin Acre, Westhoughton. It was first thought that young Alex had escaped injury, but a medical examination later revealed a small prick on the back of his hand.

Both schoolboys were given jabs against the potentially fatal hepatitis B virus and the families now face an agonising three months' wait before the results of AIDS tests are known.

"The chances of them catching it are remote, but we are worried sick," said Alex's mum Rachel Green, aged 24.

The families allege tenants in Hollin Acre had repeatedly warned the council about regular drug taking on the small, secluded piece of land. They have consulted solicitors and now plan a joint action to sue for negligence claiming no clean-up was ever carried out.

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