The family of a seriously ill boy of 13 suspected to have taken ecstasy are at his bedside as he fights for his life in hospital.

The youngster remains in a critical but stable condition after becoming ‘frantic and erratic’ within minutes of consuming a drug.

The boy, from Sale, started to behave strangely on board a Metrolink service as it travelled towards Timperley . He met pals in Sale before boarding the tram in the town.

Police believe he consumed the drug on the tram or moments before stepping aboard.

He deteriorated rapidly and friends dialled 999 when he started displaying ‘frantic and erratic’ behaviour.

A witness on he tram has said he was ‘shaking all over and sweating’ while his friends were ‘smirking’.

Paramedics were called to Timplerley Metrolink station where they treated him before taking him to hospital on Saturday evening.

Police are in the process of speaking to a number of male and female youngsters who were with the boy at the time.

They have not been able to speak to the boy himself.

Tests are being carried out to establish whether the drug he consumed was ecstasy, also known as MDMA.

Police are increasingly concerned about the supply of ecstasy to school age children following a series of incidents in Greater Manchester.

Last month three girls, all aged 12, were taken to hospital in a critical condition after taking ecstasy nicknamed ‘teddy tablets’ in Salford precinct . In May, a boy of 16 ended up in hospital after taking an ecstasy tablet called ‘rockstar’ in Oldham. All four later recovered.

But Faye Allen, 17, died after taking a double-strength ecstasy tablet called ‘mastercard’ during a dance night at Victoria Warehouse in Trafford Park.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Ewart said: “The big message for us is just around alerting people to be drug aware and drug safe. There clearly is stuff in circulation which is not good or very strong and we have age groups taking these things whose bodies cannot cope.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

For help or advice on all drugs Talk to Frank on 0800 777 6600 or visitwww.talktofrank.com