A HEREFORD woman is undergoing HIV and hepatitis B tests after stepping on a heroin user's needle.

Sandra Harrison from Redhill is now facing an agonising wait to see if she has tested positive for either of the viruses.

The incident happened as she walked along the path near Merestone Road.

Sandra said: "I was on my way to my friend's house when I felt a sharp pain in my foot.

"My first thought was that I had trodden on a thistle but on closer inspection I found a needle had broken out of a syringe and was sticking in my toe."

Sandra, who is a breakfast supervisor at Haywood High School, made her way to the A & E department at the General hospital to hear the horrifying news that there was a trace of heroin present in the needle.

She will now have to undergo a course of injections to reduce the risk of developing hepatitis B and will have to wait until June to hear the result of her blood test to find out the position over HIV.

"I feel sick, dizzy and anxious waiting to find out the result," added Sandra.

"I have no objection to people taking drugs but I am not happy with the person who used the syringe, they should have disposed of it properly.

"It is important for parents to make sure that their children are aware that there are drug users in the area."