THE GOVERNMENT have been urged to put the rising use of hippy crack to an end.

MP for Bolton North East, Mark Logan, called on the Leader of the House, Jacob Rees-Mogg, to act now against the "scourge".

Speaking about the masses of small, silver canisters littering the neighbourhood, he said: "Laughing gas is becoming the cigarette butts of our time.

“It is a scourge on our society and no parent wants to see their child exposed to that sea of silver.

Responding to Mr Logan’s calls for the Government to look at how to end the matter, Mr Rees-Mogg said he understood the seriousness of the issue and that MPs will debate the matter on Tuesday July 21.

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that when inhaled is said to make people feel euphoric and relaxed. It is normally bought in pressurised canisters and transferred to a container, such as a balloon, to be inhaled.