AUTHORITIES in Knowsley are supporting a total ban on legal highs.

Knowsley Council is raising awareness of the dangers of the psychoactive substances - commonly known as legal highs - and supporting a ban.

The council, together with partners Merseyside Police and Knowsley Chamber, is taking the step after a number of reported deaths across the country linked to the substances over the last year.

At a meeting, councillors passed a notice of motion in favour of a crackdown.

Leader of Knowsley Council, councillor Andy Moorhead, said: "New psychoactive substances (NPS) are extremely dangerous because they are easily accessible, are changed constantly to avoid legislative control and they do not hold the same perceived threat to health as illegal drugs.

"Many young people are unaware of the dangers they pose, which is why we are raising awareness of this issue to ensure that our children and young people are protected.

"This is a national issue and whilst I am pleased to note that action is being taken by the Government to ban the production, sale and supply of NPS in the UK, we need to do more to raise awareness of the dangers these products pose."

The council has particular concerns over laughing gas - or nitrous oxide - due to it being easily accessible and a number of empty cannisters have been found in Knowsley.

Whilst nitrous oxide is not illegal to buy, it can have serious side effects when inhaled such as headaches, vomiting, drowsiness, fainting and seizures.

There are also reports of Vertex being used in and around Knowlsey, leading to people being hospitalised. Vertex is a smoking product used as an alternative to cannabis.

Cllr Moorhead supports the Government's announcement of a New Psychoactive Substances Bill which will make it an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, import or export psychoactive substances. The maximum sentence will be seven years' prison.

For information or support call Engage on 0151 545 2859. Anyone with information about people selling NPS can call Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.