Police in 'miaow miaow' warning as woman, 24, dies in North Yorkshire

Officers were called at around 9am after the victim had been found by a friend at an address in the village of Norton.

Detectives are investigating the circumstances of the death, but say there is a suggestion that Mephedrone, sometimes called M-Cat or miaow miaow, may be a factor.

Police are speaking to people who saw the as-yet unnamed victim in the last couple of days to piece together exactly what happened.

Det Chief Inspector Nigel Costello of Malton CID said: "Although at this time it can not be determined whether Mephedrone is present within the deceased's system or whether the drug played any part in her death, the police would like to warn people about the use of the drug and its potentially lethal consequences.

"If you have used this drug and feel unwell then you should seek urgent medical assistance. If you possess this supposed legal substance then please hand it to the police or dispose of it safely.

"lthough mephedrone is currently not classified as an illegal drug, people need to know that this substance is very dangerous and it is important that anyone who has taken it contacts their local GP or hospital immediately.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident or the supply of mephedrone in the Malton area should contact Malton Police on 0845 6060247.

Separately, the Government denied today that it had failed to act sooner on Mephedrone, which has also been linked the deaths of two teenagers in Scunthorpe last week.

The Tories pointed to reports that the Home Office had been warned five years ago of the dangers of youngsters buying such narcotics over the internet.

But junior Home Office minister Meg Hillier said the report had "set out possibilities rather than realities" and made no recommendations to the Government.

Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, died in Scunthorpe after taking mephedrone on a night out.