A ROGUE batch of ecstasy pills circulating in the south has led to at least four youngsters being so ill they've had to go to hospital.

Police say the tablets are potentially life-threatening and are making people "very aggressive, very frightened and lose consciousness".

At least four men in their teens or early 20s have been treated in hospital after taking them. All four remain in hospital, with one in serious condition.

An 18-year-old has been arrested as police investigate the drugs' circulation on the Isle of Wight.

Officers believe three of those affected bought the pills from someone inside Yates's pub in Newport High Street on Friday or Saturday.

The dealer said they were selling ecstasy. Yates's said it is working closely with police.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "It must be stressed that taking these tablets could be life threatening.

"Officers are warning people not to take any tablets they may have bought recently as ecstasy. Where possible they are asked to hand them into police who can then analyse them as part of the investigation and make sure they are disposed of correctly.

"Detectives working on the case would like to reassure people that anyone who hands potential ecstasy tablets into police on the Island with the intention of preventing harm to others will not be prosecuted for possession of illegal drugs."