INVESTIGATIONS into an alleged rape in Southend town centre have ceased after no offence was found to have been committed.

A woman, in her late teens to early 20s was found in a distressed state near the main bus station behind the Royals shopping centre, by a passer-by at about 5am on Friday.

Three cordons, in Church Road, Lucy Road, and by the bus station were put in place as officers investigated the area.

The woman was taken to Southend Hospital by ambulance with injuries and she was later interviewed by specialist officers from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team.

Police officers have found no offence took place after the woman admitted she was highly intoxicated and unable to recall exactly what had happened.

DCI Simon Werrett said: "Police take all allegations of sexual assault very seriously and will immediately investigate all the circumstances.

"In this case we have been able to prove that no offence took place and that her injuries were from an incident earlier in the evening."