Five people are in hospital this morning following suspected drug overdoses in Bury St Edmunds last night.

Two men were arrested on Thursday following suspected drugs overdoses in Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday.

The ambulance service was called at 11.38am on Wednesday to an address in Ashwell Road where a man in his 40s was unconscious.

They were then called at 3.10pm yesterday to an address in Priors Avenue to a man in his 30s, at 5.43pm to an address in Tayfen Road to a woman in her 20s and at 8:30pm to St Andrews Street North to a man in his 30s.

All four individuals were admitted to West Suffolk Hospital and a fifth man presented himself to hospital with concerns for his welfare having taken an illegal substance.

Two men remain in the hospital in a stable condition, all others have been discharged. Toxicology tests are being carried out to establish the cause of the medical conditions.

Police were alerted to the incidents yesterday evening and an investigation is now underway.

The detail of what drugs were taken remains unclear but it is suspected that it is likely to have been heroin or crack cocaine.

Two men aged 18 and 19 from London were arrested this afternoon.

Police are reminding people of the dangers of drugs, following the incidents.

Superintendent Andrew Mason said: 'Taking illegal substances of any kind is extremely dangerous, and as these recent cases have shown, can result in serious illness or injury.

'We believe that the drugs taken by the individuals concerned were obtained in Bury St Edmunds over recent days, but any substances purchased illegally at any time carry this risk.

'Our primary concern is to prevent harm coming to anybody else, so we are urging anyone in possession of illegal drugs, particularly those recently obtained in the Bury St Edmunds area, not to take them but to dispose of them safely.

'Our work now will focus on ensuring that any vulnerable members of the community are safeguarded and that members of the public are aware of the risk posed.'

Councillor Tony Goldson, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for Health and Adult Care said:

'These incidents are a cause for concern. I would urge people under no circumstances to take any illegal drugs, which as we have seen can have devastating consequences.

'If you have taken illegal drugs, or if you know someone who has become unwell after taking illegal drugs and needs urgent medical care, call 999 immediately and ask for the ambulance service.'

Anyone in possession of drugs can hand them in anonymously to drug and alcohol treatment provider 'Turning Point' in Looms Lane, Bury St Edmunds. They can be contacted on 0300 1230872.

If you have information about the supply of this or other illegal drugs call Suffolk Police on 101 or pass information anonymously via the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

•For drugs information and advice visit the Talk To Frank website: www.talktofrank.com or call the 24/7 National Drugs Helpline on 0800 77 66 00