POLICE have issued an urgent warning to parents over beige-coloured pills after three Bury teenagers were rushed to hospital.

Two boys are in a critical condition and one in a serious condition after taking the tablets on Wednesday evening.

At a press briefing today, Chief Inspector Phil Spurgeon of Greater Manchester Police warned the teenagers didn't show any signs of illness until Thursday morning.

He said: "The three Bury teenagers remain in hospital today after taking drugs. Preliminary testing on tablets we found has shown they contain a concerning number of components.

"We can't be certain that the boys have taken these drugs, but the drugs that we've recovered are in a pill form with the letters UPS on them.

"They are beige in colour and they have a strong and sickly smell.

"Some of the tablets are really fragile and may be reduced to a powder form.

"We are appealing for anyone who might have taken tablets matching this description to seek urgent medical assistance.

"Even if you took it some hours ago this pill could still be in your system and could be seriously harming your health.

"I am appealing for anyone who has these drugs to please not take them as they could be highly dangerous."

The two boys aged 14 and 15 were admitted to hospital last night.

One 15-year-old is in an induced coma.

The first 15-year-old boy was initially arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply but was taken to hospital when he became unwell.

A 40-year-old woman has also been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and remains in custody for questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Atton, from GMP’s Bury borough, said: “The teenagers took what are believed to be illegal drugs sometime on Wednesday 16 January, and subsequently they became unwell before being taken to hospital on Thursday evening.

“An investigation has been launched and there are tests ongoing to establish what the boys have taken and in what quantity. We’re working on the assumption that they have consumed an illegal drug, but at this stage it is still unclear what this is.

“This is an extremely serious incident, with three boys from the Redvales area of Bury in a serious condition in hospital.

“We are concerned about any other people in the area who may have taken whatever these boys have and I would urge anyone who has to urgently seek medical attention. We cannot say what the drug is at the moment as tests are ongoing, but we do expect that people who have some of these drugs may well have heard what has happened.

“We appeal to anyone with this drug on them not to take it, as it could seriously harm your health.

“If you know you have taken this drug you should seek medical advice immediately at your local hospital.

“Until we are able to say what substance has been taken and in what quantity we cannot give more specific advice but I would like to remind people of the dangers of taking illicit drugs.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 2459, 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Anyone who has concerns about drug use can contact Bury Early Break Substance Misuse Service on 0161 723 3880 or the local Alcohol and Drug Service on 0161 253 6488.