The family of a six-year-old girl cut by a needle sticking out of a train seat will have to wait at least six months to find out if she has contracted HIV.

The needle pierced the skin of Khia Green's right thigh, even though she was wearing jeans.

The youngster had just boarded the Southeastern train at Sittingbourne station with her mum Georgina, sister Kiana, eight, and cousin Chantay, 14, when the accident happened.

Miss Green, of Ypres Drive, Kemsley, said: "She sat down and jumped up again and said something had dug into her leg. I thought it was a tack or a sewing needle at first, then when I went to pick it up I realised what it was.

"I was shaking and everything. I tried not to let her see.

Kemsley Primary School pupil Khia Green's right thigh was pierced as she sat on the object which had been left on a train seat.

Now the family have to wait six months to see if the youngster has contracted HIV.

Mum Georgina said: "I've not been able to sleep properly since it happened.

"My worst fear is that she doesn't get the all-clear and what sort of life she will have."

The 42-year-old mother of seven, reported the incident to a train guard.

The cover of the needle was found on the floor under the table where the family had been sitting.

A plastic tube filled with clear fluid was also found down the side of the window seat.

She said: "We put the tube in a cup and I took it to the hospital where they said they were going to try and find out what it was."

Khia was taken to St Thomas's Hospital, Westminster, where she was given an injection against hepatitis B and blood was taken.

She will have another injection against the HIV virus on January 24, and another two month's time, and undergo more blood tests in March and June.

Southeastern sent a bunch of flowers to the family home the next day.

Miss Green said: "I've not had so much as a letter or a phone call. The flowers are not enough.

"I'm going to find out if there is any legal action I can take."

A Southeastern spokesman said: "We're sorry that this distressing situation has occurred, and our sympathies are with the child and of course her family.

"As soon as this was reported to our staff we began an internal investigation."