CLAIMS that an 11-year-old girl was assaulted as she walked to school were false, police say.

Dorset Police have announced that the allegation given by a schoolgirl's mother that she was grabbed along Higher Shaftesbury Road in Blandford has been withdrawn.

A public appeal was made for witnesses after the girl was said to have been grabbed at 8.40am on Monday morning.

A force spokesman said: "Following further enquiries officers have determined that the reports have been unfounded and the complaint has been withdrawn."