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A woman has been arrested on suspicion of wasting police time more than a month after a rape claim was made in a seaside town.

Officers launched an investigation following a report a mum and her toddler were bundled into a car on the seafront in Redcar, Teesside.

The pair were said to have been forced into the vehicle near Redcar boating lake between 11.30am and 12.30pm on March 3.

The woman claimed she screamed for help as she was driven away before she was raped by two men in a five-hour ordeal.

(Image: Evening Gazette)

The incident was reported to have lasted about seven hours, before the woman ended up in a secluded lay-by.

Following the shocking allegation, police arrested a 31-year-old local man before he was released without charge.

Police warned horrified local people to remain vigilant, while detectives carried out inquiries into the alleged ordeal.

Officers later announced they had closed their probe of the 'abduction' because the "circumstances were not as first reported".

(Image: Evening Gazette) (Image: Evening Gazette)

But they said the investigation into the rape report was ongoing.

However, today, Cleveland Police revealed officers are "no longer investigating" the allegation of rape in the town.

The force said: "Police have today arrested a woman aged in her early thirties on suspicion of wasting police time.

"She remains in police custody."

(Image: Evening Gazette)

Following the mum's allegation of rape, locals expressed their shock, while extra police patrols were deployed in the area.

One resident said his wife and children would not be using the area to exercise anymore after the alleged attack.