The University of Gloucester has launched an investigation after the BBC obtained footage of its students taking part in a ‘Nazi’ initiation ceremony.

The video, which was secretly filmed by another student, shows a group lined up with plastic bags on their heads. Another figure, dressed in a Nazi uniform, is standing by encouraging the group to drink.

Initiations normally involve excessive drinking and, whilst most students end up with just a bad hangover, at least three deaths have been linked to these rituals.

In 2003, 18-year-old Alex Doji died in an initiation ceremony at Staffordshire University after choking on his own vomit.

NUS has called for a ban on student initiations at UK universities.

NUS President Wes Streeting told BBC News: "We are totally opposed to student initiations. They put students at serious risk and exclude students who don't want to take part in that binge-drinking culture."