A concerned resident of Midsomer Norton has been in touch with Nub News to show what seems to be an escalation of drug taking close to the local school.

The person, who did not wish to be identified, said that they have been on regular litter picks close to the cricket ground in Midsomer Norton, but this latest clear up was the biggest they had seen.

Police have confirmed to us that the canisters are nitrous oxide, and while the gas isn't illegal to possess, it is breaking the law to supply it and the drug is often associated with Anti Social Behaviour breaches.

The headquarters of the Avon and Somerset police branch then got in touch with the local beat officers.

They then told us that the neighbourhood team " Are aware people gather on the fields, but that there have been no reports at the time of any ASB/ coronavirus breaches.

" Regular patrols are conducted of the area to deter such gatherings taking place."

Nitrous oxide which is also known as laughing gas, hippy crack or Nos, is listed under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, and as such it is illegal to supply or import nitrous oxide for human consumption.

In research carried out to inform policing for the House of Commons in 2018/19 2.3% of adults aged 16-59 said they had used nitrous oxide in the last 12 months (around 763,000 people), up from 2% in 2012/13. However the same research showed nitrous oxide use is more prevalent in young people. 8.7% of 16 to 24-year-olds had used the drug in 2018/19 down from 9% in 2016/17 but up from 6.1% in 2012/13.