A concerned mum warned parents to check their kids’ trick-or-treating haul after son was allegedly given cannabis sweets while out for Halloween.

Terri Turnbull, from Stanley, County Durham says her seven-year-old son James was given a pack of ‘Cannaburst’ sweets, that resemble an inconspicuous Starburst packet, but are believed to contain the Class B drug.

Police have launched an investigation and have urged parents to check their children’s sweets as a precaution.

Terri told the Echo: “My older son who was with him rang me and said he’d been given some edibles.

Terri's son James.Terri's son James. (Image: TERRI TURNBULL) “They had to throw them out because my little boy wanted them. I told them to keep the packet and we reported it to the police.

“Trying to explain to a seven-year-old that they can’t have the sweets isn’t easy.

“It’s really concerning. I don’t know what the world’s coming to.

A pack of the sweets James was allegedly given while trick-or-treating.A pack of the sweets James was allegedly given while trick-or-treating. (Image: TERRI TURNBULL) “I want parents to be aware. Check your kids’ sweets.”

The family had been at the Stanley Halloween Festival before the kids went ‘the long way home’ around the South Moor area to go trick-or-treating around 7.30pm as a group of five.

A warning on the packet, which appear to be from the US based on its markings, says: “This package contains cannabis, a Schedule I controlled substance. Keep out of reach of children and animals.”

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Cannabis is illegal to possess, grow, or deal with in the UK.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “We are investigating after edible cannabis sweets were allegedly given to a child who was trick-or-treating last night in Stanley.

“Officers are urging parents to be vigilant and check their children’s sweets as a precaution.”