A university society is being investigated after its summer ball descended into a drunken, drug-fuelled orgy during which students risked their lives by running naked into a lake.

The Durham University Champagne Society has been placed on probation after the event - which featured in the pages of society magazine, Tatler - allegedly got out of control.

Police who attended the event had to call for back up after some students were seen taking cocaine, having sex, vomiting and collapsing unconscious.

Two students also had to be taken to hospital after suffering the effects of excessive alcohol.

Guests, who paid £99 for a ticket, were given two bottles of champagne each, but also spent more than £45,000 at the bar.

But concern was raised by university authorities following reports that some of the students had been seen running naked into a lake at Hardwick Hall Park near Sedgefield where the event took place.