DETECTIVES are investigating whether as many 15 people became ill at the Reminisce Dance Festival on Saturday after taking ecstasy pills.

As reported earlier this week, a 19-year-old woman from Chester and a 22-year-old man were both in a critical condition following the one-day music event at Sherdley Park that attracted 14,000 people.

It is believed the man and woman took blue diamond-shaped tablets at different times during the day.

On Monday, detectives told the Star the woman’s condition had improved, though she remains poorly. The man, however, remains in a critical condition.

Police, who have recovered a batch of blue ecstasy pills that had been deposited in an amnesty bin at the park, fear more of the potentially life-threatening tablets could be in the hands of dealers in St Helens.

On Sunday, detectives arrested two local men – aged 31 and 42 – on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply. They were later released without charge while the investigation continues.

Police have been interviewing a number of people who were taken ill between Saturday afternoon and the early hours of Sunday morning.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Sephton, who heads St Helens CID, said nine to 15 people had become unwell after taking drugs of some description.

He said: “If anybody has been unwell after taking these substances we would urge them to get in contact with us.

“We also need to speak with anyone who may be aware of people who were selling drugs at Reminisce. We have a timeline of events that shows the young woman becoming ill at 4.45pm and the man at 9.30pm. There are reports of people being unwell up until 12.15am on the Sunday.”

He added: “The clear message is don’t take these drugs. We don’t know the strength of them or what the effect they have if they are mixed with alcohol or medications.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police in St Helens on 0151 777 6939 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.