A PARK-KEEPER who suffered "10 months of hell" after he was jabbed by a junkie's needle is calling on the council to clean up its act.

Martin Mackness, 38, of Laburnum Way, Bromley, was terrified he had contracted hepatitis or HIV after he was spiked by a hypodermic needle.

The father-of-three now knows he is safe but is urging the council's contractors to provide park-keepers with better safety gear so it doesn't happen again.

Mr Mackness was using his strimmer in Penge Park, in the high street, when the blade hit a discarded syringe. It flicked into the air and the needle buried itself in his knee.

He said: "I realised in that instant not only had I been stabbed but that it was a junkie's syringe. The needle had gone in to the hilt.

"I was very scared and immediately thought my life may be at risk from diseases."

Mr Mackness says the park, which has a children's playground, is littered with up to 30 hypodermic needles every morning despite being near a needle exchange in Blean Grove.

He is appealing to Bromley Council and the contractor, Leyland-based Enterprise, to clean up the area for the safety of park staff and the youngsters who play nearby.

Mr Mackness was employed by Enterprise, a company which maintained grassed areas in Bromley and Penge for Bromley Council at the time of the incident in April 2002.

He now performs the same role for Groundforce, which is a company contracted by Enterprise.

Mr Mackness said: "They tell us to pick up these needles but all they give us is a pair of gloves and some boots, which offer no protection. Some of these needles are hidden in the grass."

Mr Mackness has managed to rebuild his life and will marry his fiancee Sharon Vaughan, 40, on St Valentine's Day, but he fears another incident.

He said: "My fiancee nearly left me and made me sleep on the sofa. The worry put me through 10 months of hell.

"Its over now but the needles are still there and if it was to happen again it would tip me over the edge.

"All I want is to have proper equipment and the park shut down while the problem is sorted out.

"This is not just for me and my colleagues but for the children who play there as well."

A spokesperson for Bromley Council said: "All contractors carrying out these type of operations are expected to comply with health and safety regulations.

"These include requirements to provide clothing to ensure employees are not exposed to risk."

Enterprise was unable to comment but said it was investigating the issues raised by Mr Mackness.

January 28, 2003 09:30