RYAN Drewitt was playing outside in the street when he tripped over an uneven paving stone and gashed his toe.

His mother, Sharon Harper, 33, from Pinehurst, claims that they first notified Swindon Council about the "injury trap" outside their home more than three years ago.

Mrs Harper said: "I am appalled that it has taken this accident for something to be done."

Ryan, five, was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital last week, where he had four stitches in his toe.

Mrs Harper said she reported the broken paving stones to the council on several occasions but no one came to repair them.

"I made countless calls, to no avail. The pavement is a complete hazard and the problem should have been rectified years ago," she added.

With four other children besides Ryan to look after, Stephanie, three, Samantha, 11, Natasha, 10, and Robert, 8, Mrs Harper is still concerned for their safety.

She said: "It will always be a worry until the pavement is repaired."

Hellen Barnes, spokeswoman for Swindon Council, said: "I can confirm that the problem was first reported two years ago.

"Inspectors visited the site on that occasion and did not consider the crack to be a hazard. We have responded quickly to the complaint received last week and the matter is being dealt with."