A MOTHER whose son died after inhaling laughing gas has thanked the school she works at for helping to raise awareness of the dangers of the drug.

Leesa Davies, who works on reception at New Bridge Secondary Short Stay School in Midland Road in Worcester, lost her son, Jordan Guise, in February 2014, and she is now teaching as many people as possible about the dangers of the drug.

"Jordan was 21 when he died after inhaling nitrous oxide. He had just moved to France where he had been promoted to the role of head chef within two weeks of starting at La Charniere restaurant in Beziers," Mrs Davies said.

"It makes it even harder because I grieve for the future and what should have been.

"When you inhale nitrous oxide, it takes the oxygen out of your lungs so that you can suffocate, and that's what happened to Jordan."

Now Mrs Davies is focussing on spreading the message of how dangerous the drug can be, and staff and students at New Bridge are working hard to support her.

"I had only told a few staff members and none of the children knew about what happened to Jordan. I didn't know how they would react," Mrs Davies, who lives in Kidderminster, said.

"But then the story was in Pick Me Up magazine recently and I thought people might see it. So we gradually started telling pupils and trying to educate them about the drug.

"Three students just came up to me and gave me a hug and told me they wanted to do some fundraising.

"The students worked with teacher Charlotte Webby to arrange a vintage tea party for staff and students' families and we put up posters and leaflets telling people about what happened to Jordan and the dangers of inhaling nitrous oxide.

"I think if it stops one person from trying it, then it's worth it. I spoke to some of the young people who had previously tried the drug, but said they wouldn't touch it again after hearing about what happened.

"Jordan first tried it when he went on holiday to Magaluf with friends. Because he was a chef, and nitrous oxide is actually used to whip cream, he had access to it and he just kept using it. I think people assume that because it's called 'laughing gas' it must be harmless, but it's not."

The students also helped raise funds for Wyre Forest charity, Josh's Prayers, which helps parents pay for their child's funeral.

Teacher Charlotte Webby, who helped organise the fundraiser, said: "The students have all been very mature after hearing about what happened to Jordan. It's a very important issue to address and we want to talk to the kids about it and make sure they realise the dangers of inhaling this drug."