ANXIOUS mums fear drugs are rife in their Newport neighbourhood after their children found syringes while out playing.

Donna Shefford and Donna Mapp said their children Ellie-May Davies, seven, and Jamie Tanner, six, made the shocking discovery in a hedge while out playing with a friend in Bideford Close, Maesglas, on Tuesday evening.

Ms Mapp said they were worried the children could have caught a deadly disease after handling the syringes, which contained a black substance and still had needles attached to them.

But after inspecting their hands they were relieved to find the girls' skin had not been punctured even though they had broken the needles off on a fence.

"I just sat and cried because it was so scary to think little kids had been playing with them," said Ms Mapp, 24. "I was just worried they could have caught some awful disease.

"I think it's disgusting that somebody just dumped them - I just want somebody to come and sort the problem out."

After the discovery, Ms Shefford, who also has a son, Correy, 13, phoned the police and was told an officer would call round to collect the syringes. "When I heard that the children were playing with syringes I took them away, put them in a bag and phoned the police straight away," she said. "I was shocked and when I told the children about the dangers of picking up things like this they cried their eyes out."

Ms Shefford, who works at the Spar Shop on Cardiff Road, said drug-taking paraphernalia had been discovered before.

"There were some syringes found in the park area not that long ago and somebody found a bag of them near some garages," she said. "I fear people are taking drugs in the neighbourhood and I'm disappointed that somebody walked along and put the syringes there knowing that children could get their hands on them."

Newport central crime and disorder reduction officer Deb White said the find would be investigated.

She said: "I would not say drugs are a major concern in the area but anyone with information should contact us and we will act as proactively as we can."

Anyone with information can contact police on 01633 838111.