A NIGHTCLUB has been forced to close after three drug-taking revellers were rushed to hospital while partying there.

La Spatule M & L had its alcohol licence suspended at an emergency meeting requested by police yesterday.

The suspension means the club is unable to serve alcohol or provide regulated entertainment until a full hearing takes place within the next 28 days.

Officers from the police licensing team obtained evidence suggesting drug dealing was an issue at the Bradshawgate club, which also functions as a takeaway, the hearing at Bolton Town Hall was told.

All three people who fell ill admitted to police that they had taken class A drugs at some stage on Saturday night or the early hours of Sunday.

Police initially believed the trio had suffered a bad reaction to inhaling laughing gas — nitrous oxide, a "legal high".

Some tubes used to inhale the substance were found on the floor of the club by officers.

Police licensing officer PC Andy Vernon said: “The incident on Sunday morning was extremely serious and we are lucky that the three people taken to hospital made a full recovery as clearly things could have been much worse.

“Although some of the substances believed to be involved were thought to be legal, licensees have both a moral and legal obligation to promote a safe environment for their customers.

“All licensees are aware of their responsibilities under the licensing act to prevent crime and disorder and we will not tolerate any premises ignoring their obligations.

“We will bring any such premises to the licensing committee who may consider imposing conditions on the premises, removing the premises’ supervisor or even permanently revoking its licence.”

Police were called to the Royal Bolton Hospital at 4am on Sunday after reports that two men and a woman had been taken there from La Spatule.

Bolton Council’s licensing sub-committee agreed with the application and suspended La Spatule’s licence for 28 days so that a full review of the premises can be heard.

The venue’s daytime takeaway operations will not be affected by the suspension.