A South Lanarkshire teenager has died after collapsing at a house party in a suspected drugs death.

Brandon Rice was treated by paramedics at the scene of the party in Pitreavie Court, Hamilton, before being taken to Hairmyres Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The 17-year-old Hamilton Grammar School pupil was a promising rugby player who played for his local team.

Police said the death was being treated as unexplained but it is understood that one line of enquiry is that it was drugs related.

Three teenagers have also been taken to hospital after falling ill at the same party.

Two girls aged 16 and 17 and a 16-year-old boy were all taken to Hairmyres as a precaution. None of them are believed to be seriously ill.

A police spokeswoman said: "At around 3.30am on Wednesday we were called to a house in Pitreavie Court, Hamilton following a report that a 17-year-old male youth had taken unwell.

"He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken by ambulance to the University Hospital Hairmyres where he later died.

"A post-mortem will take place to establish his cause of death which is currently being treated as unexplained.

"Two female youths, aged 16 and 17 years, and another male youth, aged 16, who were also in the property at the time were taken to the University Hospital Hairmyres as a precaution."

Brandon's former school have been paying tributes to the "charismatic" teenager.

Hamilton Grammar School headteacher Graeme Sives said: "Everyone at the school had a great affinity with Brandon - he was friendly, endearing and charismatic.

"He was as popular with staff as he was with his fellow students and had just been elected as a prefect for next session.

"Brandon was a talented sportsman, particularly in rugby and also last month gained a silver medal in track and field at the county sports."

He added: "He was a student mentor for the Sportworx training programme having excelled on the course the previous year and had career options in that area as well as ambitions to join the fire service.

"Brandon was a fine young man and is a great loss to our school community.

"He had contributed so strongly and had so much to offer and his passing will be keenly felt by all of us."