Police are no longer investigating reports a woman was raped near the Bridgewater Canal in Eccles in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Officers say the woman who made the report is “vulnerable” and has now admitted to an officer it didn’t happen.

Detective Inspector Benjamin Hart said: “I understand those living close to the area have been very concerned but I would like to reassure them this incident did not take place.”

The woman had claimed that she had accepted a lift from a stranger on Worsley Road who then drove her to Hall Bank where the assault was said to have occurred.