THE parents of a six-year-old boy who needed 15 stitches after gashing his leg on a stone-ridden pitch believe the lack of sporting facilities for youngsters is to blame.

Luke Mitchell needed hospital treatment to a gaping wound on his knee after falling onto a sharp object as he watched his older brother play football on Sunday.

Parents Mandy and Andrew, of Ashmead, Trowbridge, said they were horrified by the accident at Bradford on Avon Rugby Club's Winsley Road ground.

Mr Mitchell said stones and even animal bones littered the pitch where his son Scott was playing an under 10s league match for Trowbridge Wanderers against Bradford on Avon Football Club.

Newtown Primary School pupil Luke was playing with a friend when he fell over, leaving him with a bone-deep wound.

Mr Mitchell, 37, said: "It was like something out of Casualty. It wasn't just a cut, it was a very deep gash.

"I believe if you are going to accommodate children you have to make sure the areas are safe. There were buckets at the side of the pitch full of stones and the manager even found a bone near the penalty area.

"This incident highlights the need for better pitches. If it had been two players heading for the same ball I hate to think what damage they could have done."

Mr Mitchell, who drove onto the pitch to take his son to hospital, found himself blocked in when rugby club officials put up bollards.

"They stood there like two bouncers and asked me what I was doing. I couldn't believe it," he said.

Bradford on Avon Rugby Club chairman Steve Jenner said a communication lapse led to the bollard incident, but stressed it was up to football teams to clear their pitches of stones before games.

"We clear our own pitches as and when we need too. As far as we are concerned the football clubs are responsible for their area. We have not had an incident ourselves. It was probably an isolated accident."

Mike Long, chairman of Bradford on Avon FC, said stones were always popping up to the surface.

"We have put a lot of work into into clearing the ground and will continue to do so," he said.

Chris Moore, Trowbridge Wand-erers chairman, said: "We take the health and safety of all of our children to the highest level.

"I empathise with Mr and Mrs Mitchell and we can look at ways to review our policy and procedures."

Manchester United fan Luke has been off school since the accident.