POLICE have reassured residents there is no rapist at large in Hartlepool, after a woman was said to have lied about being attacked in her home.

The woman claimed to have been raped by a man who tricked his way into her home, in the Alwick Road and York Road area of the town, by pretending to be a central heating engineer.

She told police she was threatened, then punched in the face before being raped on Wednesday, November 1.

Yesterday, police confirmed that inquiries had ended and the 36-year-old woman had been interviewed in connection with wasting police time.

The police have also submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service for advice on possible charges against her.

Detective Inspector Bob Bussey said: "I would like to reassure the public of Hartlepool, who may have considered that a dangerous rapist was at large, we now know that is not the case."