POLICE have dropped an investigation into an alleged assault on a teenager after new evidence came to light.

Detectives launched an inquiry after teenager Derek Bond, 15, said he had been beaten and tied up by a raider at his home in Warwick Street, Church, on Tuesday.

But police have now said they will not be pursuing the matter after speaking again to all the witnesses.

The man who led the initial inquiry, Det Sgt Jim Elston, of Accrington CID, said: "I can confirm that the police will no longer be actively pursuing the investigation into this matter and our inquiries are now closed.

"We will continue to offer support and assistance to the family."

Chief Insp Neil Smith added: "We are satisfied that no offence has been committed."

Derek, a pupil at St Christopher's High School, Accrington, claimed he had been beaten and left tied to a computer table by a man who burst into the family home at about 9am.

He was released after his mother, a nurse at Blackburn Infirmary, returned home from work at about 3pm.