POLICE have issued a warning to youths over the dangers of inhaling nitrous oxide.

It comes after officers spotted teenagers inhaling laughing gas from balloons at Rock Park skate park in Runcorn on Friday.

Cheshire Police says that doing so can have serious health impacts, including breathing difficulty and unconsciousness.

The youths ran away from officers when confronted about their actions.

The force’s Halton Brook Police team said: “If your teenage children were in Rock Park on Friday evening, you might want to give them ring to check up on them.

“Four teenagers, two male and two female, made off from us after being spotted 'doing balloons' by the skate park.

“They disappeared into the housing estate before we could catch up with them.

“Fortunately, they left the nitrous oxide behind as they fled which has now been disposed of.

“Inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons is incredibly dangerous and can have pretty grim side effects, in young people especially.

“While some see it as harmless and fun, it can render a person unconscious and cause serious breathing issues.”