PARENTS are warned to be alert to the latest craze among youngsters of sniffing nitrous oxide from silver cream chargers.

One concerned dad, who confiscated a box of 10 chargers from his teenage son, told the Tivy-Side that several youngsters had discovered that sniffing the gas caused euphoria and mild hallucinations.

"I was absolutely furious. It is such a stupid thing to do and I told them so in no uncertain terms," he said.

He added that a friend of his son had bought the box of chargers over the internet - though the packaging states it must only be purchased by people aged over 18.

Nitrous oxide - commonly known as laughing gas - is usually used under medical supervision.

Abuse of the substance can starve the body of oxygen and lead to injury or death.

Sgt Gareth Jones at Cardigan police station said: "We would urge parents to be aware of this craze and suggest that they control access to the internet."