Young people are "risking their lives" by getting kicks from laughing gas, a parish council warns.

It follows the discovery of a large number of used nitrous oxide cannisters in the ball park play area in Hersden, near Canterbury.

Posting on its Facebook page, the village's parish council says it is a worrying issue because of the serious health risks involved with inhaling the gas.

In 2016, nitrous oxide became covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act and is illegal to supply for human consumption or for its use to achieve a psychoactive effect.

In the post, concerned bosses from the council say: "If you take too much nitrous oxide you risk falling unconscious and/or suffocating from the lack of oxygen.

"People have died this way.

"It can be hard to judge the amount to use safely.

"If you have too much you can end up fainting, having an accident or worse."

They add: "The safety of all of the parishioners is at the forefront of all we do and we are concerned that the impact of this drug is being minimised or normalised among those who are using within the area."

The council is also concerned about the "high volume" fresh graffiti plaguing the village, as well as its play park.

It is urging anyone with information or photographic evidence about either issue to contact the police or send any images to parishclerkhpc@gmail.com for it to report the incidents officers.