AN investigation has been launched after three people were found unconscious outside a pub after swallowing a dangerous chemical.

Two women, aged 27 and 22, and a 22-year-old man were left in a critical condition after being taken to hospital after they were found outside The Zetland Hotel, in Marske High Street, east Cleveland, at about 12.35am yesterday.

All three have regained consciousness, but are said to be in a critical condition in The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

They are believed to have ingested a chemical, possibly gamma-butyrolactone, which is a colourless and odourless liquid and is used as paint stripper and to remove strong glue.

The group had been drinking in The Zetland Hotel before being asked to leave by the landlady due to their rowdy behaviour.

They collapsed just a few metres from the entrance and were found with a laboratorystyle one litre bottle containing the chemical by a passerby.

Detective Inspector Mark Dimelow, of Cleveland Police said he was keen to find out more about the industrial chemical because a licence is needed to purchase it.

“It is early days in this inquiry,” he said. “I am trying to find out exactly what happened and how they came by this drug.

“It is an industrial drug and not designed to be ingested in any way.

“We need to establish the circumstances of these three people and the circumstances of the bottle.

“Something like this is not heard of within this community and is highly unusual.

“There have been deaths nationally with this drug, and we have come across it in Teesside, but it is rare.”

The drug is sometimes known as “coma in a bottle”

and was classified as a class C drug in 2009 after a series of deaths.

It is said to have a moodaltering effect similar to ecstasy and is particularly dangerous if mixed with alcohol or other drugs.

Det Insp Dimelow added: “The Zetland Hotel is a great family pub and we have no problems here. The landlady has been very responsible and very happy to help with our inquiries.”

Witnesses are asked to call Det Insp Dimelow on 01642- 302626.