PARENTS have raised concerns after children as young as ten found 'laughing gas' canisters littered around an area of Wirral.

Silver canisters of used nitrous oxide, commonly known as ‘laughing gas’, were found on the Beechwood housing estate.

Sarah Turner found the dangerous items in her son Oliver’s room last week, and took to social media to ask others what they were.

She said: "He found them last week in the entry behind our house.

"He tends to collect things and bring them home.

"It was only on cleaning his room I found them and noticed they had 'N20' written on them.

"He did ask but I had no idea what they were. My son is only ten. I'll tell him to leave them well alone.

"I reported this to my housing association. They seemed well aware of this latest craze."

Although there are legitimate uses of nitrous oxide, it is illegal for anyone to sell it under the Psychoactive Substances Act of 2016.

Official advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs says the gas can cause dizziness and impair your judgement, putting users at risk.

It can also cause "unconsciousness or death due to a lack of oxygen".

Responding to Sarah’s comments on Facebook group Wirral Gossip, other social media users reported empty canisters being found around New Brighton and Birkenhead.

Mum-of-five Sarah said she thought the items had been left by teenagers "causing a nuisance" close to her home on the Bidston housing estate.

Anti-social behaviour is a problem in the Beechwood area, Sarah said, and recent problems have included litter behind her home being set on fire.

She has asked the housing association in charge of the area, Onward, for entry gates to be put up.

On Friday, a spokesman from Onward looked to ease her concerns.

He said: "Our neighbourhood officer has been to the Beechwood estate today and our environmental services team will be attending to clean up the area.

"We will also be installing a gate, which should be in place before the end of the month."

For more information about nitrous oxide and its dangers, visit the confidential drug advice site, Frank.