A TEENAGE girl who got drunk and lost her mobile phone cried rape in a bid to generate sympathy, it has been revealed.

An investigation was launched after the 13-year-old told police she was attacked in the Rivington area, between Chorley and Blackburn.

The incident was said to have taken place close to the county border with Greater Manchester, at around midnight on Saturday.

Police sealed off the area close to Rivington and Blackrod High School.

The girl, from Horwich, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for a medical examination.

The teenager told police she had been drinking, saw a man who wore a scarf pulled up to his eyes covering his face, and thought he was going to follow her.

She said she tried to run away but fell, injuring her leg and losing her mobile phone.

The girl told police she made up the allegations to generate sympathy from her parents who were angry with her for coming home late and in a drunken state.

Officers said that the girl wasn't cautioned for wasting police time as she admitted making up the false allegations during police interview yesterday afternoon.

A police spokesperson said: "Following an investigation into the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl the police are now closing their inquiries after it transpired that the allegations were false.

"Officers are now happy that no offences have taken place and no further action will be taken."

The spokesman added: "We seek to reassure the public that there is not an offender at large."