YOUNGSTER Joseph Coulson has been left with a nasty gash to his leg after broken glass was left littered on a football pitch in Westbury.

While the eight-year-old was having a kickabout with friends last Tuesday at the Redland Lane playing field he slipped on the shards, cutting his leg and had to be taken to Trowbridge Hospital to have stitches and has been using crutches since.

His dad Greg Coulson, who is also vice-chairman of Westbury Youth Football Club, cancelled all training and matches until the ground was safe to play on and on Saturday locals rallied around to clear the pitch of any other hidden glass.

But on Tuesday more was found by a parent on the playing field so all coaching and matches have been called off again so no one else is hurt. Volunteers are planning to go back down again on Saturday at 10am to continue the search.

Mr Coulson said: “Last weekend we cleared a lot of glass, but since then we have had more glass smashed on the pitch, so we still have a problem.

“I think what they are doing is there is glass in the hedge and they are bringing it out and smashing it against the goal posts.

“The pitch is there for the kids to play on and there are 350 kids in Westbury Youth Club, and they can’t play or train because some mindless person is leaving glass and it’s a shame and sad for the kids who like playing football.”

The club is also hoping to see if police community support officers can patrol the area. Mr Coulson added: “If we could get the police to take an interest it may calm it down.”

A picture of Joseph’s leg was posted on Spotted Westbury’s Facebook page and angry locals were quick to criticise whoever left the glass there.

Pete Hussey said: “Poor lad, speedy recovery, hope he's up and playing soon. Broken glass on a footballing area, Can't believe some people! Crazy, why!”

And Terry O'Connor added: “It happened to my son last night as well doing gk [goal keeping] training! We had to stop and collect up as much glass as we could find all the glass was green which made it harder to spot.”