A Crosby mum was horrified when she stumbled across a dirty needle which was thoughtlessly discarded on a public beach.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, was enjoying the sunny weather by walking barefoot with a friend when she made the discovery by the Mariners Road entrance to Crosby beach.
She said: "We were walking barefooted in the sand at the time and would normally have our children with us.
"My friend almost stood on it that's how we came across it.
"The needle was still attached and exposed. If my friend had taken one more step she would have stood on it.
"People who leave these things have no respect for others whatsoever.
What happened when we confronted taxi driver who stopped on school zigzag lines
"I would normally be here with my children and they would have undoubtedly ran ahead and not seen this.
"There were also plenty of people out walking their dogs."
The woman's friend was brave enough to pick up the vile object with a piece of cloth to put in the bin.
She added: "A few of the local residents said it's not unusual to stumble across them lately, but commended my friend for being brave enough to move it.
"Now I'm worried a bin man may harm themselves on it."
The woman said she contacted Sefton Council to inform them of the location of needle and bin.
A spokesperson from Sefton Council said: "Although our coastline is extremely vast, the area is cleaned regularly and thanks to the support of volunteers litter picking often takes place across coastal areas and green spaces.
"If members of the public discover a discarded needle or syringe call SeftonCouncil on 0345 140 0845 and we will arrange a safe disposal."
