THREE nightclub revellers were taken ill after inhaling what is believed to be laughing gas.

Paramedics were called to La Spatule M & L in Bradshawgate shortly before 4am yesterday before taking two men and a woman to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Detectives said their initial inquiries established the three people — who are said to be recovering well — may have inhaled nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, and suffered a bad reaction.

But last night, The Bolton News learned that officers were also looking into whether LSD or ecstasy were involved.

Police have appealed for anyone who was in the club on Saturday night or Sunday morning to contact them if they took drugs, as they are concerned they might be connected to a “bad batch”.

The alarm was raised by club owner Adelaide Tatchemo, who noticed a young woman in difficulty.

Security staff at the club called an ambulance and police swooped on the club.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said a male casualty was picked up in Bradshawgate, between Breightmet Street and Silverwell Lane, and taken to hospital, and a woman was also picked up outside the club.

“Initial inquiries have established the three people may have inhaled nitrous oxide (laughing gas) but this is still subject to investigation,” said Inspector Graham Neild, of Greater Manchester Police.

He added: “We are still investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident and exactly what these three people have ingested that caused them to fall ill and require hospital treatment.

“I do not want to speculate or get into a wider debate about legal highs and the dangers of taking such substances.

“My main focus is to ensure there aren’t any other people who have either inhaled or ingested whatever these people have taken and have not yet sought medical attention as they could be at risk.

“If you were in this club and you did take something, then please seek the appropriate medical advice and treatment as soon as possible.”

The area outside the club was cordoned off yesterday as the investigation continued.

The venue is an African and European-themed restaurant and bar which opens up later as a club.

It hosts regular branded nights, called Collision, featuring DJs and a laser and light show and, on Saturday, it ran from 9pm and was due to close at 5am yesterday.

It closed earlier following yesterday’s incident.

Ms Tatchemo said: “I have been running this club for more than two years and we have never had anything like this happen before.

“I asked our security staff to call the ambulance because the woman did not look well and I knew she needed help.

“I did not want her to leave the premises like that.

“She was the only person I had direct contact with. I didn’t see the other two people affected.”

Ms Tatchemo said there were up to 100 people in the club at the time of the incident.

She added: “We are co-operating fully with the police investigation because we want to know what has happened ourselves in order to prevent it from happening again.”

Nitrous oxide is a non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odour and taste, commonly used in surgery and dentistry for its anaesthetic analgesic effects.

It is known as laughing gas due to the euphoric effects of inhaling it. Possession of the drug is not illegal.

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101.