A FRESH hunt for a rapist was under way last night after DNA evidence showed police had arrested and charged the wrong man.

Paul Race, 24, spent two weeks in custody after he was accused of the rape of a 30-year-old woman in Shildon, County Durham.

But yesterday, at Teesside Crown Court, he was formally cleared after the prosecution offered no evidence against him.

Police, who could face legal action over Mr Race's detention, said last night that the investigation had remained active.

Mr Race, of Coronation Avenue, Shildon, was picked out in an identity parade by the victim of the rape, which occurred in the town's Redworth Road, on May 15 last year.

Sean Dodds, prosecuting, said no evidence was being offered because test results of DNA recovered from the scene did not match Mr Race.

Mr Race was not in court. But his solicitor, Alan Green, said he would be discussing with his client the possibility of legal action against the police.

Detective Sergeant Jim Cunningham, of Newton Aycliffe CID, said: "Our investigation remains very much an active one and we remain confident of catching the person responsible."