A nine-year-old boy is facing an agonising wait to find out if he has a killer disease, after stepping on a dirty hypodermic needle in his school playground.

Aaron Proud has to wait for up to four months to find out whether he has contracted an infection, such as Aids or the liver disease, Hepatitis B.

His parents hope desperately that hospital tests will give him a clean bill of health.

Aaron was on a lunch break at Throckley First School, Newcastle, when he felt a pain in his left foot.

He took off his trainer to find blood pouring out of the wound made by a needle sticking in his foot. The needle had pierced through the sole of the trainer into his foot.

His mother, Nicola, 30, was informed and rushed to the school from the family home in Throckley.

Care worker Mrs Proud said: "When I heard that Aaron had been spiked by a needle, the first thing I thought of was Aids.

"They have given him inoculations against Hepatitis B but we won't know for four months if he is in the clear."

After the incident, Aaron was taken to Newcastle General Hospital and given an injection against hepatitis.

Teachers at the school believe the needle was hidden in shubbery next to the playground.

Headteacher Lesley Winlow said: "Following the incident, the school caretaker searched the grounds.

"We have also recently had an 8ft high fence put round the school."