AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into the suspected rape of two women and an alleged serious sex assault of a third woman in Cirencester.

Three male students, all aged 20, from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) have been arrested in connection with alleged serious sexual assaults which took place on May 23, the night of the unversity's May Ball.

They have since been suspended from the university.

A police spokesman said: "Three students from the Royal Agricultural University were arrested on Sunday May 25 in Cirencester in connection with an investigation into alleged sexual assaults.

"They have been bailed respectively until July 29, 30 and 31 to return to a police station as part of the investigation."

The three victims were aged 19, 20 and 21.

A RAU spokesman has confirmed that the three arrested students have been suspended from the university.

"We are aware that the three students have been arrested and subsequently released on bail," she said. "We have asked the police to investigate and are helping them fully with their enquiries."