A SHOCKED nine-year-old boy from Verwood was stung an agonising 17 times as he desperately fought off a swarm of angry wasps he accidentally disturbed.

Youngster Joseph Best was playing on a dead tree with his older brother Marcus, 15.

Located just off the trail through Steamer Point nature reserve, the boys’ family were making their way home from a relaxing afternoon on the beach on Sunday evening.

Joseph fell off the tree disturbing the wasps, which then swarmed over his back and ankles, sticking to his t-shirt.

Fortunately dad Andy, 49, a tree surgeon, came to the rescue using his three-year-old daughter Isabella’s plastic beach spade and rake to scrape off scores of the stinging insects.

The youngster’s mum Laura Sims, a part-time sales assistant, told how the shocked family then rushed towards the carpark at the reserve where she called an ambulance.

The crew arrived minutes later, and used a bottle of vinegar, borrowed from a nearby chip shop, to treat the stings to his waist, feet, back and hands.

“At first we didn’t realise what had happened,” she said.

“They were all over him, on his T-shirt and inside his clothes.

“I just don’t want anyone else to have to go through that. I dread to think what I would have done if I was on my own.

“I just want to warn other people to be careful. I felt terrible and really guilty.

“Boys will be boys of course and they should go and play, but they also need to be a little wary sometimes.”

Senior countryside officer at Christchurch Council Peter Holloway, said: “People should always keep to the main footpaths and try their best not to disturb wildlife.

“The British countryside is a much safer place than many parts of the world but people should still exercise caution to avoid bites and stings.

“The Council’s Countryside Service runs many guided walks and events for people of all ages.

“There is also a children’s monthly wildlife watch group where they can learn lots of fascinating facts about the countryside, including which plants and animals may be harmful.”