FOUR men from a Blackburn hostel were taken ill after overdosing on so called 'legal highs', police said.

Officers said they were contacted by the Ambulance Service after four men, aged between 23 and 37, were were thought to have suffered drug overdoses at the Salvation Army centre in Clayton Street.

Two men aged 36 and 37 were taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment, while two other men aged 31 and 23 were treated at the scene by paramedics.

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The men told police they had become after taking ‘legal highs’.

It is understood that one of the substances involved was 'Insane Joker', which is described as a 'herbal incense blend' or 'synthetic cannabis'.

The men were reportedly 'highly agitated' and had suffered palpitations, vomiting and unconsciousness before paramedics arrived.

This latest incident regarding psychoactive substances to blight Blackburn, comes as Town Hall bosses unveiled plans to make the whole of the town centre a 'No Go Zone' for legal highs.

Both men taken to hospital on April 12 at 4.50pm have since been released.

No arrests were made surrounding the incident.

Officers said an investigation was on-going to establish exactly what the substance was.

A spokesman for The Salvation Army, said: “We work with some of the most vulnerable people in the local community and help them to get back on their feet.

"Unfortunately last week a group of four of our residents became ill after taking a 'legal high'.

“Our staff acted immediately to provide first aid and called the emergency services.

"All affected residents are now fully recovered.

"Our staff have completed training in legal highs and we will be working with our residents to raise awareness within our centre of the dangers of these drugs."

There have been several high profile cases involving legal highs, including the murder of Blackburn teenager Ashley Meadowcroft, who was stabbed to death by Rebecca Tootle in September, 2014.

She had been taking legal high 'Happy Joker' before she plunged the blade into his chest.

In April last year it emerged staff were forced to close a council-run youth club for the first time in Blackburn because teenagers on legal highs became uncontrollable.

A session for 13 to 19-year-olds at Accrington Road Community Centre was shut an hour early for the safety of up to 20 youngsters in attendance.

Powers to crack down on public drinking, taking drugs including legal highs in the open are set to be introduced in Blackburn town centre.

They would give council and police officers powers to seize a range of ‘intoxicating substances’ on the spot and disperse rowdy groups of people.

Those who fail to obey instructions from police or council enforcement officers face Fixed Penalty Notices of up to £100 or fines of up to £1,000 at the magistrates court.

The new Public Space Protection Order, which could be in place by the end of June, will be the third time such comprehensive measures have been introduced in England, following the examples of Lincoln and Taunton last year.

Sgt Stephanie Hurst said: “Officers were contacted by the Ambulance Service around 4.50pm on Tuesday, April 12, after four men, aged between 23 and 37, were taken ill at an address in Clayton Street.

"The men were believed to have been taken ill after taking some form of ‘legal high’.

"Just the fact that a substance is sold as ‘legal’ doesn’t mean that it’s safe."

A internet search yesterday revealed that three grams of 'Insane Joker' could be purchased online for £19.99.