Beijing, July 12 (TIWN) Four Britons have been arrested in China's Jiangsu province, the British Embassy in Beijing said on Friday.

They are among 16 foreigners - seven teachers and nine students - who were detained last week after testing positive for drug use.  At least some of those being held are from an international language school, Education First. 

Police did not specify the type of drugs involved and it is not clear where the other foreigners are from.  There are extremely severe penalties for drug offences in China.  "We are in contact with the Chinese authorities following the arrest of four British people in Jiangsu province, and are providing consular assistance," said the British embassy in Beijing.