INCREASING numbers of people apparently taking nitrous oxide gas in north Oxfordshire has prompted police to issue a warning on the dangers.

Thames Valley Police has warned the legal high, used by dentists as so-called "laughing gas" for years, can have fatal side-effects.

The gas is also known as "hippy crack" in some quarters.

The force reported how an 18-year-old in South East London died in hospital last weekend after drinking alcohol and taking the gas.

Although the drug, which induces short-lived euphoria and mild hallucinations, is most popular with teenagers, police said adults are increasingly participating.

And it said over the past few weeks in the Banbury area many used canisters have been found in laybys near to Daeda’s Woods and Bodicote Mill.

Police Sergeant Becky Fishwick from Banbury Police Station said: "We have seen an increased use of nitrous oxide gas by the teenagers and young adults in the rural community as well as in the wider Banbury area.

"We are increasing awareness to educate any young people thinking of using NO2, of what the potential life changing and fatal effects can be and also to advise parents of the signs to look for in young people that are using the gas."

Prolonged use of nitrous oxide causes significant loss of vitamin B12, causing brain and nerve damage, she said.

It has been associated with anemia, tinnitus, numbness in extremities and even death.

Oxygen deprivation can also lead to loss of consciousness which could potentially lead to chocking, asphyxiation and death.