Parents have demanded warning signs be erected in Morden Hall Park after hypodermic needles were found floating in the river.

Park wardens issued a warning last week urging children not to play in the River Wandle.

Park-user Gill Duncan said: "It's deceiving, the water looks so clear but who knows what is hidden in its bed.

"Children are always putting their hands in it. At the very least a warning sign should be placed on all the entry gates."

Catherine Moore, 36, said: "I wouldn't let my two-year-old son near the water with needles or any other pollution in it. I'm sure there are some sort of permanent warning signs which they could install or even bins for people to put their rubbish in."

Education officer Suzanne Lucas at the park's Snuff Mill environmental centre confirmed that there were needles in the Wandle. She said warning signs had been erected in the past but were pulled down by vandals.

She said: "We are currently talking about putting some more signs up. The needles could have floated down stream and were not necessarily dropped in the park.

Never listen

"We are in a continual fight with the general community who do not listen to us when we tell them not to go in the river."

The River Wandle is cleaned annually by staff. The next operation is due to take place on October 18.

A spokesman for Morden Hall Park said: "Pollution is a common problem."

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