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A man has been released from police custody after a woman has confirmed her earlier report of being raped in Billingham was false.

Police have now been stood down from the scene at Kenilworth Road where a police cordon has remained in place since the early hours of today.

The 32-year-old man has now been released with no further action to be taken.

Cleveland Police this afternoon confirmed there will be no ongoing police involvement and officers are no longer appealing for witnesses.

They would like to thank members of the public for their patience while the initial inquiries were conducted.

A police cordon was put in place from the shops to the Marsh House Avenue junction following reports that a woman had been raped at around 2am. It was later altered to cordon off the alleyway entrance next to the shops, with two police officers guarding the cordoned off area.