A MUM has hit out after her four year old boy fell off his scooter and cut his hand on a broken vodka bottle at a local swing park.

Jennifer McShane wants to raise awareness of the litter problem at Anderson Park after having to take her son Jacob to accident and emergency at Inverclyde Royal Hospital last weekend.

He had to have two X-rays, three stitches, a dressing and a bandage as a result of falling off his scooter and lacerating his hand.

Jennifer said: "It gave Jacob a fright to see the bleeding in his hand and we were all pretty shaken up.

"Pulling out glass and gravel from my four year old’s hand is not something I wish to repeat.

"Jacob was very brave and very lucky.

"This sore hand could well have been his face.

"A Smirnoff bottle had been carelessly and thoughtlessly smashed next to the climbing frame and roundabout in the park.

"Inverclyde Royal Hospital were magnificent with Jacob - they were quite concerned that glass or stones could have got through his skin and soft tissue but thankfully he was okay."

Jacob was injured on Saturday afternoon, at a time when the park was busy with a lot of kids.

Some teenagers kindly helped clean up the grass as well.

Jennifer told the News: "I don't want to tar all teenagers with the same brush."

Concerns have repeatedly been raised about the park being used as a drinking den by youths.

Jennifer and husband Paul are hoping that the weekend incident will shame those responsible for the smashed glass into cleaning up their act.

The 31-year-old, a dental hygienist, said: "Sadly, this thoughtless behaviour is commonplace in Anderson Park.

"Last year, our puppy suffered cut paws from glass which had been broken on the path.

"I would like to make an appeal to everyone, but especially to parents of teenagers, who use this park at night to educate their children and keep others safe.

"We live nearby and can see and hear teenagers drinking late at night in the grounds.

"There are bins located throughout the park.

"We just don’t want this to happen to anyone else and for our children to be able to play safely."

Town councillor Ian Murdoch was concerned to hear about Jacob's accident and has slammed those responsible.

He added: "I arranged for the council's Streetscene cleaning team to be at the park for 9.40am on Monday to help clear up the park and Police Scotland have also been informed and the locality team are undertaking regular police patrols.

"It is not acceptable for broken glass to be smashed at the park.

"Whoever's doing this should think about the possibility of this innocent child being their brother, nephew, cousin, family friend or one day, your own child.

"By all means enjoy your freedom but please comply with the guidance and implement common sense when disposing of glass bottles or containers."