A LOCAL grandad is warning beach-goers to be careful after he discovered a needle on Ardrossan South Beach.

Last Monday, May 14, he was walking with his grandchildren when he spotted the needle and whisked them off the beach.

The man, who doesn’t wish to be named, wants the word spread to make others aware of the issue.

He said: “I was shocked, really shocked.

"I know the beach gets cleaned but I know that stuff will be missed but there was two tide marks so it wasn’t cleaned.

“We have people cleaning the beaches themselves.

“It’s not just locals who use the beach and a lot of folk take their dogs too.

"It just doesn’t bare thinking about what could happen.”

The needle was picked up by another beach user and placed in the bin

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We were called out to the beach

following reports of a syringe being found but this had been removed prior to our arrival.

“To ensure visitors’ safety, we undertook a search of the beach area but did not find any further syringes.

“If any member of the public finds discarded syringes in a public place, we would urge them to call our Customer Contact Centre on 01294 310000.

"They can also visit our website at www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk where they can report it.”