A MAN who was arrested by police after officers seized 384 laughing gas canisters from a vehicle in Prescot has been released under investigation.

Officers stop checked a vehicle in the early hours of Saturday, November 21 on Manchester Road, Prescot.

They recovered 384 canisters of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, from inside the vehicle.

A 26-year-old man from Kensington, Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a psychoactive substance.

Under the Psychoactive Substances Act, it is illegal for a person to sell or give away nitrous oxide for recreational purposes.

READ > Class A drugs seized after police stop car

A statement by Knowsley Police after the seizure said: "Targeted officers patrolling the Prescot area during the early hours of November 21 have arrested a 26-year-old Kensington male following a stop check on Manchester Road.

"Officers detained the driver shortly before 3am following the recovery of 384 nitrous oxide canisters from inside the vehicle."

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman confirmed that the suspect has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.