POLICE have issued a warning to youngsters about a ‘legal high’ called Vertex, after a 14-year-old girl became ill after using the substance in Barnoldswick.

Officers will be attending an assembly at West Craven High School to warn pupils about the substance, which looks like cannabis and is marked as ‘not fit for human consumption’.

It is not clear how seriously the girl was affected, but officers said the illness was not life-threatening and she has made a full recovery.

Earlier this month, it was revealed the number of police incidents involving so-called legal highs in Lancashire had tripled in the last year.

An inquiry by the Centre for Social Justice showed there were 347 cases involving the substances in 2014, compared to just eight cases in 2010.

Police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw said he would support councils and the Government in introducing a ban, because of the pressures that incidents involving the drugs put on police resources.

The Barnoldswick incident happened on Saturday evening, and Colne and West Craven Police said in a statement: “In this case the substance was called Vertex and clearly marked as ‘not fit for human consumption’.

“On the rear is a list of poisonous ingredients and a statement saying that the substance is a research chemical and is for lab reagent use only.

“The substance looks like herbal cannabis (green leaf material) and smells very sweet.

“On this occasion, thankfully the young girl has made a full recovery and the source of the substance has been dealt with.

“Assemblies have been arranged in the local high school to warn young people of the dangers should they decide to use similar substances.”

Legal highs can carry serious health risks, because the chemicals they contain have in most cases never been used in drugs for human consumption before and are untested.

Their effects can include reduced inhibitions, drowsiness, excited or paranoid states, coma, seizures and, in a few cases, death.

Because the chemical ingredients in a branded product can be changed without the buyer knowing, the risks are unpredictable.

Even drugs that look similar or have similar names may vary strengths and have different effects.

Pendle councillor Jenny Purcell, who represents Barnoldswick, said: “It’s very unfortunate that this young girl has been affected in the town but the key is to learn lessons and give as much information as possible to youngsters.

“It’s a great idea for officers to go into schools and make clear the dangers of these horrible drugs.

“The children must learn as early as possible the very real dangers that come from taking them.”

If you have any information about ‘uncontrolled highs’ and who may be supplying them, then contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team by telephoning 101.