Parents are being warned about a new drugs craze which could see children lured into County Lines drugs gangs.

Children are being offered cannabis edibles containing THC, the mood-altering ingredient found in cannabis.

They come in many different forms including cakes, chocolate bars, sweets and drinks.

But while the illegal products contain an element of the Class B drug, they do not look or smell like cannabis.

West Mercia Police is warning that because of the way they are packaged, the products can be particularly appealing to young people and teenagers.

“We want parents to be aware of a new craze of cannabis edibles which are increasingly being offered to young people across the country,” the force said.

“People may use edibles as a ‘hook’ through which they coerce pre-teenage children into the county lines model.

READ MORE: Worcester drugs raid: One arrested and 230 cannabis plants seized

“They do this particularly because children aged under 10 are under the age of criminal responsibility.

“Unlike smoking cannabis, swallowing cannabis is much easier to consume, however it takes longer to take effect.”

This delayed effect means people are more likely to eat a dangerous amount before feeling the effects, police said.

“Their purchase is illegal in the UK, but we know the products are advertised for sale through social media networks – and therefore young people are at risk of seeing them.

“We have ensured that schools have been briefed on the issue and we would encourage parents to also speak with them if there are any specific concerns.

“We need the public to be vigilant and help to play a part by passing on information to us on anyone selling or indeed taking cannabis edibles and you can do that by calling us on 101, or online.

“Information can also be passed to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.”

Last May, four children in Epsom, Surrey were taken to hospital after eating sweets which police believed contained cannabis.

They are not thought to have suffered any long-term effects.

But Surrey Police said the youngsters were “lucky” not to have been more seriously affected by whatever they ate, and the source of the sweets was still being investigated.

The force said they were called by the South East Coast Ambulance Service to a parade of shops where three children, two 12-year-olds and a 13-year-old, were vomiting uncontrollably and falling in and out of consciousness.