DETECTIVES are no longer investigating reports that a woman was raped in Hapton.

But officers are still appealing for witnesses after a woman was gang raped in a Colne alleyway.

Police were called to the junction of Manchester Road and Castle Clough, Hapton, on Monday, after an allegation was made that a 23-year-old woman had been raped.

Crime scene investigators could be seen going in and out of two forensic tents, which remained under police guard at the Hapton site.

There was also a police presence in nearby Ruskin Grove.

But following 'numerous inquiries' detectives have established that no assault took place.

A police spokesman said: "Following a report that a woman was sexually assaulted in Hapton at the weekend police can confirm they are no longer investigating this matter.

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"Police were called to the junction of Manchester Road and Castle Clough around 5am on Monday following reports a 23-year-old woman from Burnley had been assaulted.

"Detectives launched an investigation but following numerous inquiries they have established that no assault took place.

"We understand that the past 36 hours must have been a concerning time for the local community.

"We would like to thank the local community for their co-operation and support and to reassure them that we take all reports of this nature seriously."

Meanwhile, detectives are continuing investigations relating to the serious sex assault in Colne.

The 23-year-old female victim was walking along Tennyson Road, at around 11pm on February 6, when she was dragged into an alleyway and subjected to a serious sexual assault.

Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a group of three or four men acting suspiciously in the area at around 10.40pm.

One of the offenders is described as dark skinned and around 6ft tall and another as chubby. All the men were wearing hats and one may have been wearing a waterproof coat.

The victim described some of the men as speaking with foreign accents, police said.

Officers are also trying to trace a silver or grey Vauxhall Astra which was seen acting suspiciously on Tennyson Road at about 9.40pm.

Witnesses visiting the McDonald’s Restaurant on North Valley Road at about 10.40pm when the victim walked past are also urged to contact police.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

It is understood the woman will not face any police action regarding the Hapton allegation.