Five university students have been hospitalised after they apparently took a synthetic cannabis-like drug known as 'Spice'.

The students are all believed to be in their first year at Lancaster University, and from the same Grizedale College townhouse.

Police officers found the students at about 6.30pm on Wednesday.

Lancaster University issued a warning about the drug on its Twitter feed after learning that the five were receiving medical treatment.

The drug was reclassified as a class B drug in 2009. Prior to this it was a 'legal high' and being sold in 'head shops'.

The charity DrugScope described Spice as a collection of herbs or plant material sprayed with synthetic cannabinoids, producing a cannabis-like effect when smoked.

Side effects can include a raised pulse, dry mouth, lowering of inhibitions, dizziness, agitation and paranoia.

Although banned in the UK, Spice and similar drugs can still be bought on the internet, with China and the Far East the main areas for production.