CLUBBERS are openly taking drugs in Glasgow nightspots, an Evening Times investigation has found.

We visited four venues on a Saturday night and saw young men snorting substances next to sinks in one club and others swallowing pills in another.

Using chemical swabs that turn blue when they come into contact with cocaine, we were also able to find traces of the Class A drug in men's and women's toilets.

In the Berkeley Suite, near Charing Cross, two men inhaled a white powder from a raised surface next to sinks where other clubbers washed their hands.

They left behind a piece of rolled up cardboard and traces of the drugs, which were immediately swabbed by the Evening Times. The wipes turned a bright blue, indicating the drug they snorted contained cocaine.

Evidence of the Class A substance was also found when surfaces in the women's toilets were swabbed.

On the same night we visited Sub Club in Jamaica Street, where people were seen taking pills in the male toilets.

Traces of cocaine were also found in the cubicles in the men's and women's toilets.

Kushion, in Bath Street, and The Garage, Sauchiehall Street, were also visited, but cocaine was not found when swabs were taken and we saw no trace of apparent drug taking in either club.

Lisa Ringrose, of the Berkeley Suite, said security would be tightened at the club.

She said: "The Berkeley Suite operates a strict zero tolerance drugs policy and is committed to protecting the health and safety of customers.

"We are taking this matter very seriously and will be looking to put extra security in the toilets in addition to the strict security measures already in place."

Mike Grieve, managing director of Sub Club, said it had a "robust zero tolerance drug policy" and he had ordered a "rigorous investigation".

He added: "We are in no way complacent about the existence of recreational drug culture in modern society, and particularly around the live music and club scene.

"On that Saturday we had our usual weekly Subculture event and, as usual, our stewards were briefed beforehand to be vigilant.

"Our normal searching procedure at the front door was implemented. No confiscations were made and there were no issues over the searching procedure.

"As always, we also had an appropriate stewarding presence within the venue and regular checks took place in the male and female toilets."

Clubs must meet strict conditions set by Glasgow City Council's licensing board or face sanctions.

A board spokesman said: "By law all late-night entertainment premises require a policy that addresses any misuse of drugs on those premises.

"Any investigation into the misuse of drugs is a matter for police.

"Any complaint to the board will be judged on its own individual merits and with respect to the five licensing objectives."