A DAD has spoken of his shock after he discovered a blade from a Stanley knife at his local play park.

Chris Connelly, from Milnthorpe, found the blade on a seat at Milnthorpe play park and fields on Wednesday of last week while taking his children to play in the area after work.

More blades were also found earlier that morning, according to another resident.

Luckily the items were found and disposed of before anyone could be harmed.

“I took my children down to play and found two,” said Mr Connelly.

“I found another one once leaving, and a lady also found a few earlier on in the morning.

“It’s disgusting and so unsafe for children.

“I take my kids down there regularly and have never known anything like this before.

“Litter has been a massive problem recently from teenagers, but nothing like this.”

Jen Scrogham, vice chair of Milnthorpe Parish Council, said a member of the council had attended the scene to check the area was safe.

She branded the incidents ‘senseless’ and said she could not understand why anyone would leave blades at a children’s play park.

“They were picked up by a parent, what was visible, and a member of the parish council went down and checked it over,” she said.

“I don’t know why anyone would leave Stanley blades in a play park. It’s wrong and senseless.”

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said the discoveries were ‘deeply troubling’ and that he would be speaking to police about monitoring the area.

“It is extremely dangerous,” he said. “Lots of families use that play area.

“I will make a point of speaking to police about this and ask them to monitor the area and take action.

“For whatever reason these are being left there, either accidentally or deliberately, the people doing this need to understand the incredible damage this could cause to someone.

“It’s a very irresponsible thing to do and they need to stop it.”

On Thursday (April 29) South Lakes Police reported that a member of the public had contacted the force to say the blades 'had fallen out of the pocket of an individual.'

On a social media post South Lakes Police said: "Officers are aware of an incident in which Stanley knife blades were found in the park in Milnthorpe.

"Officers were contacted by a member of the public to report that these were not put there maliciously but had fallen out of the pocket of an individual.

"This has been addressed by those involved."