A MAN and a woman have been handed an adult caution following several people falling ill after taking suspected ecstasy tablets.

Police were called to the University of Central Lancashire's Student's Union in Preston on Sunday, at 1am, and two men and a woman were treated by paramedics before being taken to Royal Preston Hospital.

It was believed the group had taken a pink pill with a 'Mastercard' logo marking.

Students from across East Lancashire attend the university and its Burnley campus.

The three people were discharged and police are appealing for information and urging everyone to not take the pills.

Det Insp Roger Ashcroft, of Preston CID, said: "I would urge anyone to refrain from taking these tablets or indeed any sort of drug because the message is clear, you don’t know what you’re taking and the risk you are putting on your health could be devastating.

“Fortunately it appears that none of the individuals involved were seriously affected by this incident and I want to reassure the public that we are trying to identify the source of the tablets.

"Two arrests have been made and enquiries are on-going."

A man from Darwen, 20, and a woman, 19, from Crew, were arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug but were released with an adult caution.

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) aims to provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment for all its students and staff.

A spokesman for the University said:

“We are not aware of any UCLan students being involved in the incident outside our Students’ Union during the weekend.

“We are keen to stress that information in relation to drugs and alcohol is regularly disseminated to our student community, promoting knowledge, awareness and understanding, enabling students to make informed choices.

“The University was one of the first to develop procedures related to alcohol and drugs and these have been commended by the Home Office as an example of good practice.”