Bolton MPs and councillors have supported the government making possession of nitrous oxide illegal after the issue was repeatedly raised by locals.

Nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas, will become illegal in November with dealers facing up to 14 years in prison, the Home Office announced today.

The substance has long been a cause of concern for Bolton - the town was identified as a hotspot as residents found large amounts of cannisters including some dumped in a children’s playpark near Crompton.

Convenience stores in the town centre have been raided to find the substance and a driver in Bolton was arrested last year after being seen “inhaling nitrous oxide” behind the wheel.

Bolton West MP Chris Green said: “My constituents are concerned about groups taking nitrous oxide and the increase in anti-social behaviour that always follows.

“Many of my constituents will welcome the government’s prohibition but they will want to see that the police are taking substantive action.”

The ban comes under the government’s plan to tackle anti-social behaviour and it will make the substance a controlled class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Bolton Council cabinet member for stronger communities Cllr Rabiya Jiva also welcomed the government’s plans.

She said: “[The Council will be] working in partnership with the local authority and policing around this matter and ensure that we take this stuff off the streets and make sure that people are safe.”

From November 8, serious repeat users of the substance could receive an unlimited fine, a visible community punishment, a caution which would appear on their record or a prison sentence, the Home Office said.

Nitrous oxide is the third most used drug among 16 to 59-year-olds in England and Wales after cannabis and cocaine.

The drug is commonly used by being released into balloons from small silver canisters and then inhaled, giving temporary feelings of relaxation and euphoria.

Making the substance illegal is expected to reduce the number of canisters being disposed of on Bolton’s streets and reduce anti-social behaviour.

But the substance has widespread beneficial uses including being used in maternity wards for pain relief during labour and in the catering sector as a gas for whipped cream.

Those with a legitimate reason for having the drug will be exempt from the ban.