A DEDICATED litter picker has been finding more than just rubbish in the local area.

Sandra Brown, who documents her litter picking activity on social media, has been unearthing large nitrous oxide canisters, which were banned two years ago.

But it’s not the small silver canisters that contain the ‘laughing gas’ which was banned because of its misuse as it has psychoactive effects.

Sandra says she has found two big nitrous oxide cannisters at the upper car park of Kings Acre in Ross-on-Wye.

Sandra states: “I binned the litter and as the local recycling centre was open, I dropped the canisters off, disposing of them properly.

“However, on the same day, my daughter saw one on the side of the road, as she was driving back from Brampton Abbotts, so she stopped and picked it up.

“When the recycling centre was next open I disposed of this cannister along with one of the smaller canisters which I found awhile back and waited for the opportunity to dispose of it properly.”

Sandra observed: “These canisters are designed for ‘catering use’ but sadly some people seem to be misusing them.

“I’ve found them in the past, but hadn’t found any for a while so I was hoping this ‘fad’ had past… but sadly not.”

Possession of ‘laughing gas’ is now illegal with repeat serious users facing up to two years in prison and dealers up to 14 years.

Nitrous oxide is now a Class C drug, as defined in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This means possession of nitrous oxide, where a person intends to wrongfully inhale it for a psychoactive effect, is now an offence.

It was reported that during the clean-up operation for this year’s Glastonbury Festival that a mini mountain of the large nitrous oxide canisters had been created, despite it being banned.