Boy's 17-day agony of splinter in foot

The inch long splinter remained lodged in Elliott Sharpe's right foot for an agonising 17 days, before it miraculously worked its way out, his family claim.

It came free the day after a doctor at Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, told him he could see nothing on the ultra-sound scan, they say.

Until then the only treatment he had received was a course of antibiotics.

The broken cocktail stick had sunk into his foot when he was celebrating New Year's Eve at his grandma Eleanor Sutcliffe's house in Oakbank Broadway, Keighley.

It came free as Elliott was hobbling in the landing at her home.

"I suddenly felt this sharp pain and screamed out. I didn't want to look," said Elliott. "I pulled my sock off - I was scared of what I might see - and saw the stick sticking straight out with only the tip in.

"I was shocked and relieved but also annoyed with the doctors because they hadn't seen it."

Elliott, of Goose Cote Lane, Oakworth, said he had attended school at Oakbank School, Keighley, only twice since the accident because it was painful to walk. And he had to give up football training.

Now his 53-year-old grandma and his parents Lorraine and Revis Sharpe are demanding to know why Elliott had to spend weeks in pain, unable to walk properly and go to school.

Mrs Sutcliffe, who attempted to pull out the stick with tweezers, said: "He was put through agony for no reason.

"His nerves are shattered, he has been upset and not eating. It has been a very traumatic time for us all and Elliott has been very worried."

She said his cousins and brother and sister, who were at the New Year's Eve party, were also at her home when the stick came out.

"We were so relieved we all started weeping," she added.

An Airedale NHS Trust spokesman said it was not policy to discuss patients because it would be a breach of confidentiality.

"But if the parents are concerned they should come and talk to us and discuss the circumstances."