There are fears a legal high known as ‘hippy crack’ has reached a quiet village.

Between 30 and 50 silver gas canisters were found in a plastic bag dumped in Dunlin Walk under a tree beside a fence which surrounds Iwade Primary School’s playing field on Tuesday.

They were discovered by Rob Farley while out on a dog walk with his wife Holly and their two children Mikayla, five, and Tia-Leigh, three, at about 1.30pm

Not knowing what they were, he took a photo of them and posted it on the group Iwade Does Facebook asking if anyone had any ideas.

It led to several postings informing him they contain nitrous oxide - also known as laughing gas.

The casings are meant for chefs who use it to whip cream, but are currently being sold to people who inhale the substance using balloons to get high for as little as 50p-a-hit.

It gives the user a light-headed and euphoric feeling due to oxygen deprivation and can also cause hallucinations.

Although it is not illegal in the UK, it is dangerous and has been associated with around 17 deaths since 2006.

Mr Farley said: “Mikayla went to pick one up and we told her to leave them alone. We were like ‘what are they?’

“I was shocked when I found out, especially [with them] being right near a school.”

Concerned they might fall into the wrong hands, the 28-year-old of Fulmer Avenue, Iwade, went back to the site a couple of hours later to collect them.

He said: “As I came out the road there was a police officer going past in their car so I stopped them and gave them to them.

“He said they were all empty and asked where I found them. They said they were going to put a report in.”

Parish council chairman James Hunt said: “They can also be used for air guns and you can buy them in bulk. However, the parish council have got concerns with a few incidents of youths hanging around the village centre and the finding of these is of concern to us.

“Members discussed it when they met last night and will raise the matter with our PCSO Matthew Link.”

The finding of the containers comes in the same week EastEnders’ actress Lorna Fitzgerald - who plays Abi Branning in the BBC1 soap - was snapped taking the gas.

Bosses were said to be unhappy about it and were to arrange a meeting with her to speak about the matter.

Premiership footballers Saido Berahino and Raheem Sterling also came under fire recently after images emerged on the internet of them doing the same thing.