Warning as five children are among several people to fall ill after eating £1 'mystery' chocolate bars at town's Christmas market

At least five children have fallen ill after eating chocolate bars bought from a Christmas market.

Police have issued an urgent warning not to consume the bars which are wrapped in gold foil.

They were being sold at a market in Mansfield, Notts, this weekend. 

It is understood that at least five children and a number of adults started feeling unwell and were taken to hospital after eating the chocolate amid reports they had been laced with opioids.

Nottinghamshire police declined to confirm that they contained opioids. It said tests were being carried out.

The bars were being sold as 'five for a £1 mystery chocolate bars' at a market in the town centre on Saturday, ahead of the Christmas light switch on the following day.

One man said his nephew had been rushed to A&E after eating one of the bars while he was left feeling 'spaced out'. 

Others said their children started to feel unwell within 20 minutes of eating the chocolate.

Nottinghamshire police said anyone who had bought any of the chocolate or who recognised the packaging should not eat it but call police straight away. 

It said anyone who had already eaten it and was feeling unwell should seek medical help.

A spokesman said: 'We are working with other agencies and will publish further guidance in due course.'

In a second statement issued this afternoon, police said investigations were ongoing but that there was 'no evidence' to suggest they had been laced with drugs.

Detective Inspector Luke Todd, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'We are aware of reports circulating online of people unknowingly purchasing chocolate laced with drugs from the Mansfield area over the weekend.

'At this stage, there is no evidence to support these rumours.

'An investigation is currently ongoing to establish the circumstances behind people feeling unwell after consuming this chocolate.

'This incident has been referred to the Food Standards Agency, who will provide a further update in due course.

'Please rest assured that we take all incidents of public safety extremely seriously and will always investigate any reports we receive of this nature.'

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

Effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth and sedation.

Opioids can also be used medically to help relieve pain such as codeine, tramadol and morphine. 

But they have a serious risk of addiction, especially with long-term use. 

High doses can also slow breathing and heart rate, which can lead to death.