NINE pupils at one of the country's leading Catholic public schools have been suspended after they were caught using drugs.

The teenagers could face expulsion from the prestigious Ampleforth College, in North Yorkshire, after an investigation by staff and police.

It is believed that the inquiry is focusing on one final-year student who purchased cannabis and smoked it with friends.

The college announced that the group of sixth formers, aged 16 to 18, had been suspended after they all admitted experimenting with the drug.

Staff found out about the allegations on Thursday, but a spokesman for the college could not confirm when the incident took place or whether it happened on the premises.

He said the college's policy was to immediately suspend anyone suspected of being involved in drug abuse.

"We regard any form of drug taking as a very serious offence, leading to immediate suspension," he said.

"We will be co-operating fully with the police in any attempt to trace the source of supply."

The spokesman added: "The drugs policy that Ampleforth has is to suspend and to look into the circumstances.

"If they have been suspended, they go through counselling and testing but expulsion is the last resort."

The students involved were able to complete their A-Level examinations and were at the college yesterday to help the inquiry.

The college has been hit by a drugs scandal in the past. In 1999, cleaner Steven Kitching was jailed for supplying cannabis to five pupils.