Up to 11 Hampshire children have been treated in hospital after taking an anti-anxiety drug in a city park, according to police.

The boys and girls, aged between 13 and 15, were admitted to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth in the early hours of Thursday after taking the diazepam tablets in a local park the previous evening.

A Hampshire police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm we are investigating after a number of teenage girls and boys from Portsmouth, aged 13 to 15, were admitted to Queen Alexandra Hospital.

"The teenagers had taken a number of tablets, believed to be diazepam, which we understand were shared at Kingston recreation ground on the evening of Wednesday 21 June.

"Some of those involved are still receiving treatment, others have been discharged and are recovering at home. No serious illness has been reported at this time.

"We are working to identify all those involved or in possession of the tablets to stop them being shared further."

Sergeant Iain Clancy said: "As always, we would urge people not to risk their health by taking unknown tablets or substances.

"My team is in touch with local schools to reinforce this advice to young people.

"We are also working with the investigation team to identify other young people who know about the tablets or have taken any themselves.

"Please contact us if you have any information. Anyone who has taken tablets should seek medical advice."