Woman accused of crash 'cover up'

Police have charged a woman over allegations that she made up a tale about a vicious attack on three teenage girls in order to cover up a car crash.

Reports that the girls had been attacked by a gang in a park in Annfield Plain, County Durham, earlier this month lead police to investigate.

A spokesman for Durham Police said the claims had led residents to believe there was a gang of teenage girls attacking innocent people in their local park.

Officers alleged the supposed victims had been passengers in a car that crashed while being driven by the 20-year-old woman, from Stanley.

She is due to appear before Derwentside magistrates on 2 October charged with wasting police time and a number of road traffic offences.