A shop in Swindon has started selling magic mushrooms - and because of ambiguity in the law, neither the police nor Trading Standards can do anything to stop it.

Class A drugs are on sale in Swindon - and children are legally allowed to buy them.

A legal loophole appears to be the reason why Festival Trading Company, in Morley Street, has been able to sell psilocybe mushrooms, otherwise known as magic mushrooms, for nearly the past three weeks.

In that time, shop owner Lisa Cook has shifted more than 200 tubs, and says they are fast becoming even more popular. But she maintains she will not sell them to under-18s and regularly asks for identification cards.

Magic mushrooms contain the Class A drug psilocin, which causes mind altering illusions, and is illegal in the UK.

Lisa, who also sells smoking paraphernalia such as pipes, bongs and rolling papers, said: "Magic mushrooms grow all over the world in fields. It is perfectly legal to sell and eat them if they are fresh.

"I import them from Amsterdam and they are really popular with my customers.

"Trips will vary in length and intensity depending on a lot of things such as how much is taken and how often. The effect is anything from getting giggly to seeing different colours, trails and cheesy 1970s shapes."

The fresh magic mushrooms cost from £18 for a 15 to 30-gram tub.

The Home Office says they become illegal as soon as they are processed, which includes drying, freezing, cooking and brewing them in hot water.

Mrs Cook would not say who her suppliers are, but confirmed she uses an English company.

Phil Thomas, Swindon Council's Trading Standards team leader, said: "As long as the shop is a registered food premises and they are safe for human consumption, Trading Standards would be satisfied.

"Whether or not they should be eaten is beyond the remit of Trading Standards."

Detective Inspector Andy Deegan, of Swindon Police, said: "The law is complicated as the mushrooms contain a class A drug which is legally allowed to be sold if it is fresh.

"Magic mushrooms are legal if they are not processed, but that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous. Once a trip starts it can't be stopped and it is hallucinogenic, so it messes with your mind.

"We will be looking into the shop to confirm what is being sold."

Dave Cork, manager of Druglink, in Old Town, warned against the use of the drug, despite its legal status.

"They are very dangerous for people suffering from anxiety or depression as the mind altering drugs can exacerbate mood swings," he said.

"We don't come across it much in Swindon but maybe that's because it's not readily available.

"I don't know if this shop will cause an increase in users, as people may be already doing it and haven't come forward for help."

Home Office guidelines state that possessing magic mushrooms is not illegal even though they contain the Class A drug psilocin, because it is a naturally occurring substance. The growing of psilocybe mushrooms and the gathering and possession of them do not contravene the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is, however, an offence under the Act to possess a preparation or product, by way of drying, freezing, or brewing, of the controlled drugs psilocin or psilocybin.

These compounds are psychedelic drugs and will cause an effect similar to a trip on LSD - loss of reality, severe anxiety and paranoia can occur. Trying to pick magic mushrooms from the wild can be dangerous as many forms of mushroom are poisonous.

Class A drugs includes heroin, crack cocaine and LSD. Class B includes cannabis and amphetamines. Class C includes steroids.