TWO abandoned drug camps littered with more than 500 potentially lethal needles have been discovered in woodlands surrounding Winchester.

Drug addicts shooting up heroin and drinking the prescribed painkiller methadone used the camps, which were discovered by shocked dog walkers.

Police say they've never seen anything like it and are working with local needle exchange services to crack down on the number of syringes handed out to addicts.

The first camp was found to the south of the city at Bushfield Camp, an abandoned army base off Badgers Farm Road.

The torched site was strewn carelessly with more than 200 new and used needles, plus more than 60 empty unmarked bottles that are believed to have contained methadone. Four burnt out tents, gas cylinders and a beer barrel were also left behind.

A second camp was discovered to the north of the city just four days later in woodland off Hillier Way, near Winchester Rugby Club and Winchester Football Club.

The scene was remarkably similar, with more than 300 new and used needles dumped on the ground, along with four burnt out tents.

Wearing protective safety equipment, contractors and neighbourhood wardens from Winchester City Council removed the syringes and cleaned up the sites within 24 hours of them being reported.

It's believed the camps could have been there since last summer, but were hidden from the public and normal patrol routes.

Winchester District acting chief inspector Jim Pegler said an investigation had been launched to find out who used the camps and how they got hold of the needles and methadone.

"These two camps are of a concern definitely and we are keen to find out what on earth that's about because the numbers of syringes there is significant," he said.

"It is something that I've not come across before and it's something we will certainly be alert to. If people know anything about these encampments then we would love to hear from them."

Needles are available from drug dropin clinics, mobile exchange services and pharmacies, while methadone can be prescribed by GPs after an addict is assessed.

A freedom of information request by the Daily Echo has revealed a rise in the number of needles found dumped in Winchester.

In 2006, just 43 needles were found on open ground. That figure more than tripled last year to 132 - including one needle found on a school's grounds.

Including the needles found at the abandoned camps, on March 24 and 28, 608 needles were picked up by the council in the first three months of this year.

Sue Wilks, head of the Hampshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said needles were given out to minimise the risk of spreading killer diseases such as HIV/Aids.

"Obviously when needles are given out to people there is an expectation that they will exercise a level of responsibility to try and ensure they return any unused boxes and put used needles back into the sharps boxes that are provided."