POLICE in Hampshire have launched an investigation after a young woman claimed she had her drink spiked with a "date rape" drug.

The woman became ill after having drunk just two glasses of wine in a pub in the Eastleigh area.

She told police she had been chatted up by a man beforehand and told him to leave her alone.

But she then turned her back on her glass and it was after that that she felt unwell. Paramedics were later called out to the woman's home after she suffered vomiting attacks.

Now police are warning others to keep an eye on their drinks.

Chief Insp Jill Baldry at Eastleigh police, said: "There is no evidence to suggest that there is a problem in our area and this offence is extremely rare but we feel it is better to be safe than sorry.

"One drug-induced rape or sexual assault is clearly one too many, especially if you are the victim."

Police, who have not revealed which pub in the borough the incident took place, are now advising people to follow their guidelines for a safer night out:

Always say no to someone you don't know if they offer to buy you a drink.

Never leave your drink unattended.

When not drinking from your glass, always hold it in your hand and try to keep it covered.

Immediately report to bar staff any unexpected changes to your drink, such as an unusual cloudiness or discolouration.

Tell a trusted friend or member of bar staff immediately if you suddenly feel dizzy, sick or unsteady on your feet and seek medical assistance.

Chief Inspector Baldry said: "We do not want to frighten people, we simply want them to exercise caution when they go out to enjoy themselves and remember that one of the biggest date rape drugs of all is alcohol consumed to excess."

News of the incident comes just months after a spate of drinks being spiked in Southampton.

As reported in the Daily Echo, at least six women reported to have blacked out having apparently had drugs slipped into their drinks while socialising in the city's pubs.

In one case a woman woke up to a house full of strangers after blacking out for ten hours.