FOUR schoolgirls have been given police reprimands after a teenager collapsed after swallowing two ecstasy tablets in a playground.

Two weeks ago the BEN exclusively revealed that the Thornleigh Salesian Roman Catholic College pupil fell ill just minutes after taking the dance drug.

The Year Nine pupil was rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital for emergency treatment and has since made a full recovery.

The terrified youngster, who began hallucinating in a classroom after taking the tablets on the last day of term before the Easter break, later told the BEN: "I thought I was going to die."

Now detectives investigating the incident have given the 14-year-old girl a final warning for incitement to supply and possession of drugs.

The youngster will also be referred to the Youth Offender Team to receive counselling and advice about the dangers of taking drugs.

Three other girl pupils, all aged 14, have been officially reprimanded for the possession of drugs with intent to supply.

It means the four youngsters will now have police records for the next five years, although the process means they will not have to appear before a Bolton Youth Court.

Det Sgt Nigel Dickinson, of the plain clothes unit at Astley Bridge police station, warned that drug taking in school would not be tolerated.

He added: "Both myself and the school view the taking of drugs by schoolchildren extremely seriously, even in an isolated incident such as this.

"The pupils that have been dealt with so far have been given reprimands and in one case a final warning. They have been extremely co-operative with the police investigation and have genuine feelings of remorse for their involvement in this incident.

"This again reiterates the fact that the taking ecstasy or any drug is very dangerous and can create certain health implications.

"We look forward to working closely with this and other schools in the area regarding drugs education programmes for children to ensure they are aware of the hazards of taking any form of illegal drugs."

Last night detectives confirmed that forensic tests have proved the drug taken by the youngster and other tablets seized from pupils following the incident were ecstasy.

It is still not known what action will be taken by the school's governing body against any of the children involved in the incident.

It is understood that senior teaching staff have lrred on the last day of term.

Three teenage boys, two of whom are pupils at the school, are still on police bail as detectives continue with their inquiries.