DRUNKEN student rugby players have seen their team suspended by Lancaster Uni-versity after an hotel in Poland was smashed up during a tour.

The men's rugby union club has been sanctioned by the Athletics Union after a complaint from tour company Teamlink.

Initially all 35 members who went on tour were suspended from the athletic union, but subsequently only those who came forward admitting to damage have been banned from sporting activities.

It means the rugby club is unable to fulfil its BUSA league fixtures, cannot play in the Lancashire cup and will not be participating in Roses matches this year.

The players involved are not allowed to train on campus.

The ill-fated tour took place from December 11 to 16. There were 35 people on the tour and trouble flared when some of the party got drunk and started smashing doors and a bed.

The morning afterwards the embarrassed players paid the hotel for the damage.

The complaint was dealt with under bylaw 25 of the Athletic Union Disciplinary Procedures and led to the club being suspended until the start of the next acedemic year.

A spokesman for the university would only say: "The rugby players have been dealt with through internal university procedures."

A spokesman for Derby-based tour operator Teamlink said the company "could not comment on a private matter between the University and themselves."