A YOUTH of 17 who was arrested on suspicion of raping a schoolgirl has been released without charge after the alleged victim told police she made up the story.

The 13-year-old girl said she had been attacked in a park after she stepped off a bus in Urmston.

Officers released a CCTV picture of a boy they wanted to interview and he was arrested after he stepped forward for questioning.

But the schoolgirl has now admitted she made up the incident. A police spokesman said: "Following a media appeal, a 17-year-old boy saw his photograph and voluntarily came forward to assist police. The 13-year-old girl has since admitted that she was not raped."

Police launched their investigation after the girl said she was attacked in Davyhulme Park shortly before 11pm on May 29.

She said the rapist had approached her after she got off the 256 bus and forced her into a wooded area in the park.

It is not thought the girl will face charges of wasting police time.