TWO clubbers were taken to hospital after their drinks were believed to have been spiked with the liquid veterinary drug GHB.

The 26-year-old man and a woman had been in Club 53 on Parker Lane, Burnley, at 12.30am on Sunday when they collapsed.

In November and December nine people collapsed during nights out in Burnley town centre and needed hospital treatment. They had been drinking in pubs and nightclubs and some are believed to have had their drinks spiked with GHB, a tranquiliser used on horses.

General manager of Club 53 and nearby pub Sidewalk 53 Philip Caine said: "I will not tolerate anything like this. I am appalled that people think it is funny to try to get away with such silliness. They don't know what medication people are on and something like this could kill someone

"They had only just come into the club about ten to 15 minutes earlier and were in the reception area. We don't know if they had a drink in the club before they collapsed.

"We immediately called an ambulance and looked after them as best we could before the paramedics arrived. FROM PAGE 1

"The DJ that night Nathan Williams immediately put out an announcement to people on the dance floor telling them not to leave their drinks unguarded at any time. We continued giving that message every 15 minutes until we closed at 3am."

Philip, who is a member of the pub and club watch group BAND, said there were about 500 people in the club at the time.

Sgt Chris Bithell said: "They were in a semi-conscious state and were not making any sense. We were called by paramedics who said they thought they had taken GHB possibly because their drinks had been spiked.

"They were taken by paramedics to Burnley General Hospital where their conditions improved after treatment and they were both allowed home.

"The police would reiterate the warning the club issued. Drugs have a very bad affect when mixed with alcohol and it is very easy to have drugs slipped into drinks without the person knowing.

"We do not know yet what caused these two people to collapse and our inquiries are continuing." Spiked drinks alert