A YOUNG eco-warrior from Fairford was left upset and angered after discovering more than 500 'laughing gas' canisters in Faringdon.

Heather Kent, 13, founder of a bag a day keeps litter away Facebook page usually collects litter throughout the year and every day for the 40 days of lent.

However, this year she will be collecting 100 bags of litter in memory of Captain Tom instead.

She spotted 596 canisters and balloons at the trading estate in Faringdon last Wednesday.

“If I am honest it made me cry, it just made me so sad that someone is doing this to themselves,” Heather said.

“It makes me so upset that people think they should take these for a tiny bit of pleasure, and it makes me angry that they didn’t dispose of them properly either!

“Not only are they putting themselves at risk but are also harming the environment.”

The canisters of nitrous oxide are often mis-used for recreational drug use and can be fatal.

The small containers are legal to buy, used as a way for cyclists to inflate their tyres quickly.

But, in the wrong hands, a ‘high’ can be achieved, sometimes aided by filling a balloon with the dangerous gas to ease administration.

Inhaling nitrous oxide directly from the canister is very dangerous because it is highly pressurised and can cause a spasm of the throat muscle and stop a person breathing.

As well as the danger of asphyxiation, when the gas comes out of a canister it can be so cold it can burn, and a cold shock at the back of the throat can cause the heart rate to suddenly slow.

Heather will continue to litter pick unless the pandemic and restrictions prevent her from continuing.

Help Heather continue her hard work here.