A RESIDENT in Fairford has described the use of so-called ‘laughing gas’ canisters in the area as an “epidemic”.

Sydney Flatman regularly finds the silver canisters in and around Fairford, and recently found a box of around 50 discarded in Mill Lane.

“They looked brand new and were in a cardboard box. I wonder if whoever bought them had panicked and discarded them quickly,” the 71 year-old father said.

“We find them all over the place,” he added. “We find them in the top car park as well. It is very worrying and feels like an epidemic. I don’t know what the long-term damage is.”

When inhaled through balloons, nitrous oxide, also called NOS, can make people feel euphoric and relaxed. This has led to it being nicknamed ‘laughing gas’.

Since the Psychoactive Substances Act came into effect in May 2016, it is illegal to supply or import nitrous oxide for human consumption.

Nitrous oxide is still available for sale as it does have a number of legitimate uses. It can be used as an anaesthetic during dental work and childbirth and is also used in whipped cream aerosol cans.

According to Frank, the drug advice service, some people also experience hallucinations.

Their website also states that “there is a risk of death as a lack of oxygen can occur when using nitrous oxide. This risk is likely to be greater if the gas is consumed in an enclosed space or if a substantial amount is rapidly used.”

Another Fairford resident Elizabeth Taylor also reported finding the canisters in a park and bus shelter in Fairford. Speaking to the Standard, she said: “I saw another one just this morning in the park under the mini trampoline. It would be a good idea to highlight this problem to make parents and youngsters aware of the potential dangers.”

Fairford town councillor and Mayor Stephen Boulton said: "I have been aware of this for a long time. It has been on the Town Council and community radar for a number of years but it is not illegal so what can we do? I picked up a box of them the other day.

" I think the key is education and the schools need to step in and start teaching teenagers about these things. It seems to be very prolific."

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said: "We are not aware of any reported incidents of nitrous oxide canisters being found and this may simply be because it hasn’t been called in.

"However if we were to receive a report of canisters being found in public parks we are keen to intervene and will deal with any offences and also try to find out where users are obtaining the canisters from”.

The use does not seem to be confined to one area, with Lechlade and Stroud reporting sightings of the canisters.

In Thornbury in August a 24-year old woman was admitted to Southmead Hospital after the nitrous oxide left her body without feeling from her calves to her shoulders and unable to use her hands.

To find out more about the drug visit talktofrank.com/drug/nitrous-oxide