PARENTS in Cirencester were outraged to discover that a suspected drugs needle had been dropped on a busy school pathway in the town.

A photo of the needle was posted on Facebook's Spotted Cirencester page earlier today, a site where users can post anonymous statuses.

A comment was attached to the picture saying: "My partner went to pick littlen [little one] up from playschool this morning to find this lying in the middle of the path on the school hill.

"This is damn right disgusting loads of our children walk down this hill everyday!! Makes me so mad. Seriously any idiot knows that path leads to a school!"

The needle was spotted on a pathway near Cirencester Primary School.

Parents from all across town starting sharing the photo on their own private Facebook accounts, showing the photo to their friends.

One mum said it was "unbelievable" and another added that the person who dropped it had "no respect".

One Facebook user wondered whether it had been a needle for insulin, carried by diabetics, instead of a dangerous drugs needle.

But other parents said if this was the case, it still should not have been left on a path often walked on by children.

Clare Meredith said: "It makes my blood boil. I'm pretty sure if it was used for a legitimate medical condition it would of been disposed of correctly."

And Hanah Knowles added: "It doesn't matter whether the needle was for medical reasons or smack. Whoever used it shouldnt leave it on the floor! Especially right by a school. No excuse for leaving it lying there."

More to follow.