A SPATE of young people taking the legal high laughing gas has led Cherwell District Council to closely monitor Lambeth which banned the substance.

MP for North Oxfordshire Victoria Prentis said the risks were “alarming” and urged the public to report to police anyone selling the gas.

She said: “I am glad Thames Valley Police has taken steps to make sure the public are aware of the dangers of nitrous oxide.

“The potential health risks associated with nitrous oxide inhalation are quite alarming and could be life threatening – it is important that the public are aware of this.

“I would also echo the comments from the police asking the public to report any sale of the substance, which is illegal.”

Thames Valley Police previously warned how nitrous oxide, used by dentists for years as a sedative, can have fatal side effects. Lambeth Council banned the use and sale of the legal high – imposing a maximum £1,000 fine – following Lincoln, which banned the substance in April.

Cherwell District Council communications officer Jemma Callow said: “We will closely monitor their policy to see if there is anything that can be learned from it.”