A SEVEN-year-old child suffered a horrific injury when a piece of metal tore through his shoe and dragged him along a merry-go-round at a fun fair.

Shan Radford, 22, said son Liam was left with a deep gash on his foot after he became caught in machinery that started suddenly.

He was on a merry-go-round at his hometown fair in Weston super Mare when piece of metal ripped through his right trainer - revealing bone.

Liam had to undergo surgery after the metal sliced a ligament in his little toe.

Mother-of-two Shan said: "He was asked to get off the ride.

"They stopped it and he went to step off, then the ride started again.

"There's a bent part at the bottom of the ride and it has ripped into my son's trainer, dragging him around with it."

It happened on the High Street on Saturday, April 7.

Shan added: "Liam has no movement in it and no feeling. He's had a four-hour surgery and they've put a cast on his foot.

"They won't know the extent of the damage until it's completely healed.

"The consequences of what happened is devastating. I am absolutely devastated."

Steve Townsend, Weston-super-Mare town centre manager, declined to comment on the incident - but said the operator had been told not to return to the site and was advised to contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

A spokesman for North Somerset Council said: "North Somerset Council works with the Weston Town Centre Partnership to provide a range of activities in the High Street to enhance our visitor experience.

"All operators have to fulfil a number of criteria in order to trade.

"This incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive who will investigate the matter.

"Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time."

The ride operator could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.