A 16-year-old girl who died at a house in Longford had taken illegal drugs, police have confirmed.

Toxicology tests have shown that Orford resident Ellie Jones had taken PMA - a type of amphetamine often sold as a powerful form of ecstasy.

Police said that they do not yet know if taking PMA was the cause of the St Gregory High School pupil’s death, but that it has been found in her system.

Sup Martin Cleworth said: "Ellie’s death last weekend shocked everyone and now we have the toxicology results back indicating she had taken PMA.

“We have a duty to warn people about the potentially fatal consequences taking this drug can have and would urge people to obtain urgent medical assistance on behalf of anyone suspected to have taken PMA who suffers difficulty breathing, muscle spasms, nausea or starts to vomit.

"We are working together with our partners in health, colleges,schools and drug agencies to get warnings out to as many people as possible.

"If anyone has any information about who may be supplying this fatal drug across Cheshire I would urge them to contact police, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously so we can continue to do all we can to remove them from our streets and prevent anyone else going through the heartache Ellie’s family have gone through."

Three more suspects have been arrested in connection to Ellie’s death.

A 15-year-old boy, 16-year-old girl and 41-year-old woman have all been bailed by police until July 16.

Three other boys, all aged 16, are also on bail until July.

Ellie died at a house on Densham Avenue on Saturday, May 18, after experiencing breathing difficulties.

PMA - or Paramethoxyamphetamine - has already been linked to three deaths in Macclesfield in February and April.

Officers said it can be bought as a tablet, crystal or powder.

It can be referred to as Mitsubishi Turbos, Pink Ecstasy, Dr Death or Pink McDonalds.

PMA does not take effect as quickly as other drugs, meaning users take more thinking it has not worked.

A high dose can cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature with potentially fatal consequences.

Cathy Fitzgerald, from Warrington’s Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said: "We would strongly advise not to take any illegal drugs or ‘legal highs’, as they all come with great risk.

“If you or someone you are with find yourselves suffering from the symptoms of this drug, it’s vital that you seek medical attention straight away.”

For information on drugs and support call the team on 415176.

Anyone with any information about PMA, or Ellie's death, can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.