POLICE are warning the public to be on the alert after medication was mislaid in St Helens town centre.

The 28 Zopiclone sleeping pills were lost between Mill Street and the surrounding town centre. They are in blister pack inside a cardboard box and the letters 'Zoc' and the dosage are marked on each tablet. Potential side effects are drowsiness, nausea, confusion and heart problems.

A police spokeswoman said: "If members of the public come across someone who they think has taken some of the tablets they are advised to seek medical help.

Police would like to remind people of the dangers of taking drugs prescribed for someone else and would urge anyone who may have found them to contact their nearest police station as soon as possible.