Scare sparks warning over ‘legal highs’

The youngsters, aged between 10 and 15, were treated at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after being taken ill in Cleveleys last week.

Police, who were investigating to determine exactly what the boys had taken, said they believed it was some form of psychoactive substance.

Following the incident on Tuesday, when police and paramedics were called to a car park near The Venue, on North Promenade, Lancashire County Council moved to warn people of the health risks.

Coun Azhar Ali, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said the use of legal highs is a “concern”.

He added: “We’d strongly recommend that people do not take new psychoactive substances, which are often referred to as ‘legal highs’.

“There is no way of knowing what is in these substances and the ingredients they contain are often different to those listed on the packaging. We will continue to do all we can to warn people about the dangers of taking these substances.”