WORRIED mums are demanding action to prevent their children being injured by the jetsam of druggies and drinkers.

People in Armstrong Street, Horwich, want police to keep an extra eye on their local play-area to prevent teenage drug-users from gathering there.

And now Ruth Kelly MP for Bolton West has written to Bolton's Chief Supt John Bartlett asking him to investigate what can be done.

The parents are worried about their children using the playground for fear of them picking up discarded needles or cutting themselves on broken beer and wine bottles.

Mr Stephen Milton, 38, discovered a home-made drug smoking equipment hidden in the bushes on the playground.

His wife, 35-year-old Sheila, who has a teenage daughter, 14-year-old Donna, said she was "disgusted" that young children could run the risk of finding such things.

Neighbour Mrs Julie Kinsley, 38, who has a nine-year-old son, Adam, said she was worried for his safety.

Mrs Alison Taylor, 33, of Chorley New Road, says she cannot let her elder son, six-year-old James, play on the park because of the abuse he receives from the youths.

"They range in age from about 14 to 18 and they hurl abuse at the younger children, swearing at them to get off.

"Some of them are definitely using drugs. You find needles and plastic bags. It is frightening for the young children."

Mrs Joanne Sherlock, 26, has one son, seven-year-old David and is a child-minder for a 15-month-old little boy.

"It is obviously frightening to think they could pick up a needle or cut themselves on the glass that is always lying around.

"It is not a very good park as it is, it only has a couple of pieces of equipment and it doesn't have a safety surface. But this problem is making it even worse."

Another mum, 26-year-old Mrs Alison English, who lives in Chorley New Road, says the park is close to her home and an ideal place to take her young children, three-year-old Aaron and Laura, one. But she prefers to walk the long distance to Station Park, near Horwich town centre, which is safer.

Ruth Kelly said: "This is a sad reflection on life today. Young children can't go out and play in some areas without coming across needles or other equipment used to take drugs."

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