A motorist who was spotted inhaling from a balloon on the M40 was arrested after more than 50 cans of nitrous oxide were found in their car.

The suspect, who was driving on a stretch of the motorway near Banbury, was seen using the balloon by a member of the public, who phoned the police.

Officers with the Thames Valley Police Roads Policing Unit stopped the vehicle and found 52 large nitrous oxide cannisters inside it.

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Nitrous oxide – also known as ‘laughing gas’ - is most commonly inhaled from a balloon and can impair driving.

Possession of the substance was made illegal by the UK Government last month, having previously been a 'legal high'.

Repeat serious users of nitrous oxide could face up to two years in prison and dealers up to 14 years.