Three 12-year-old girls in UK hospital after taking ecstasy

Three 12-year-old girls are in a serious condition in hospital after taking ecstasy pills, British police have said.

The girls took so-called "Teddy Tablets" in Salford on Saturday and emergency services were called at about 9.50pm.

Greater Manchester Police are now trying to establish how the children got their hands on the potentially lethal pills and who supplied them.

They warn young people to stay away from ecstasy - which has already led to the death of a 22-year-old girl in recent weeks.

Anyone in possession of illegal substances was also urged to hand them into the police, chemists or medical practitioners.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Walker said: “Sadly, three more young people, who are only 12 years old, have taken ecstasy and ended up in hospital.

“The girls took a type of ecstasy described as ‘Teddy Tablets’. It is imperative young people understand the implications and avoid taking drugs, to stop any more young people ending up in hospital.

“We will continue to repeat our warnings in the hope that young people will think twice before taking drugs, after seeing the damage they cause to lives. People taking these drugs don’t know what they contain or what effect they will have. It’s not worth the risk of ending up in hospital or even suffering fatal consequences.”