A DISGUSTED mum was horrified to find what she feared was drug paraphernalia in a children’s play area.

The mum, who asked not want to be named, said she found “dodgy bags” at Riverview Park, in Lawford.

She was taking her one-year-old to the park, which is in Colchester Road, last week when she found a small, clear zip-seal bag as well as a smashed whiskey bottle and broken glass.

She said: “The bag was clean, but then again I didn’t really inspect it closely.

“It is a child’s park and while it is open for everyone, and I want it to remain that way, it needs to be respected.

“There are limited facilities for parents, children, families and adolescents in Manningtree.

“I think this is a big part of the problem personally.”

Residents took to Facebook to post their concerns about the suspicious items pictured at the play area.

One said needles have been found there before and another said it is “disgusting” and she was glad she did not take her children there that day.

Last year Lawford’s former chairman Dave Ashley said a teenager told him drugs were as easy to buy as a packet of crisps in the area.

Last summer, residents claimed play areas were plagued with teenagers who left litter and drug paraphernalia behind them.

Carlo Guglielmi, Lawford councillor, said: “If it’s happening we will need to work with the police to tackle this.

“Like everything else, our local resources are not huge and we will need to work with the public and if anyone knows anything they should disclose this to the parish council.”

Tendring Community Policing Team Inspector Darren Deex said: “To my knowledge we have not had any reports of drug taking in that particular area but anyone who suspects persons to be using or supplying drugs should contact Essex Police.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101.