A BOURNEMOUTH school was forced to take “swift action” after rumours began circulating that three pupils had taken cocaine on campus.

Teachers at Avonbourne School were alerted on Thursday that three students were alleged to have taken the class A drug.

The police were called to the all-girls school in Harewood Avenue and as a precautionary measure the pupils were taken to hospital by their parents.

But it was quickly established the rumours were ill-founded and the girls had just taken aspirin.

The Echo understands these rumours have also been spread on social networking sites such as Facebook.

Avonbourne headteacher Debbie Godrey-Phaure said: “We took swift action following the ill-founded rumours that three pupils had taken cocaine on campus.

“We have a zero tolerance policy against illegal drugs and immediately called the police when the matter was responsibly brought to our attention.

“It was immediately found that the rumour was false and that some girls had taken aspirin.”

She added: “We have told the students who spread these rumours online to remove them with immediate effect, because they are damaging Avonbourne’s good reputation.

“Nothing like this has happened before at Avonbourne.”

Insp Chris Weeks, east Bourne-mouth neighbourhood inspector, said: “We are relieved this was a false alarm and it was only aspirin and are reassured the school has taking the opportunity to reinforce the dangers of drugs use.

“Quite simply, drugs will not be tolerated in any sections of our com- munity.”