A MAN who had a rape charge against him dropped spoke today of his personal hell and warned: "It can happen to anyone."

Andrew Worswick, of Sparth Avenue, Clayton-le-Moors, was told of the move after the prosecution conceded there was no chance of him being found guilty.

And he hit out at the effect on his life of waiting three months for the case to be discontinued.

Mr Worswick, 42, was arrested on January 14 after the woman claimed he had raped her home in Oswaldtwistle three days earlier. He was arrested and forced to strip and undergo forensic tests.

"It was horrendous, it was just procedure and the police were very professional, but I've never felt so humiliated in my life," he added.

Mr Worswick, who is currently unemployed, said he was bailed under the condition that he did not approach the woman or areas of Oswaldtwistle and Accrington town centre.

He said the strain of the last few months had been unbearable and nearly drove him to suicide on more than one occasion.

"I can't tell you how bad it has been, I've lost nearly three stone in weight, and I've come close to topping myself at least four times.

"The only thing that kept me going was my girlfriend Shirley, 37, who has been an absolute rock. Without her I wouldn't be here now.

"The shame was awful, even though I wasn't guilty, you feel dreadful and think everyone is looking at you. My family got people who knew me ringing up and and asking what I'd been up to.

"Rapists are animals, the lowest of the low, the only thing worse is killing somebody.

"The problem is you get labelled and people always think the worst.

"The thing is its the worst thing to happen to a man, everybody believes the woman and takes her word for it. Her name is kept out of the papers while yours is plastered over them throughout.

"It can happen to any man and there's nothing you can do about it.

"I understand why the victim's names are kept out, but I just want to set the record straight."

Mr Worswick's girlfriend Shirley Clifford, 37, said: "I am upset for what she has done to Andy, but I have never been in any doubt that he is innocent."

Bernard Horne, of Farley's Solicitors, in Blackburn Road, Accrington said: "We received information from the Crown Prosecution Service that the case has been discontinued.

"The prosecution have effectively conceded that there was no prospect of Mr Worswick being found guilty of this matter and do not propose to pursue it any further."

Sgt Paul Broxson, of Accrington police, said: "We did investigate that allegation of rape and forwarded our findings to the Crown Prosecution Service, who have made a decision not to prosecute. I can't comment on that decision."