Parents have demanded warning signs be installed in a Morden park after hypodermic needles were found in a water way used as a children's play area.

The call for action came after a warden at Morden Hall Park warned youngsters to keep out of the River Wandle because it was polluted with syringes.

Park-goer Gill Duncan, 42 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."

Parent Catherine Moore, 36, added: "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 needles were found.

She said warning signs had been put up in the past but were pulled down by vandals.

The officer 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.

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

Esther Lewis, spokesman for watchdog the Environment Agency, said it would only intervene to clean up the river if pollution created a flood risk.

A police spokesman said they were not aware of any drug-related arrests in the park.

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