A Shropshire woman who sparked a five-day search after calling 999 to say she had fallen down a ditch will not be prosecuted for wasting police time, it was revealed today.

The decision comes after Tracy Gough was arrested on suspicion of wasting police time last month following the incident in August in which a major hunt was launched for her involving a helicopter, scores of officers and dogs.

Officers spent days searching for the 29-year-old Ludlow woman after she called police on her mobile saying she was lost and had hurt herself after falling into a ditch.

But five days later, Miss Gough walked into the accident and emergency department at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford seemingly uninjured.

Officers said although she was confused, she had appeared to be in good health. She was later arrested for wasting police time.

But Maria Hawkaluk, a spokesman for West Mercia police, today said: “Following the arrest, police prepared a file for the Crown Prosecution Service, which has taken the decision not to prosecute.

“No further police action will be taken and the woman has been released from her bail.”

There was serious concern for Miss Gough’s safety following her desperate phone call just before 10pm on August 8. Police lost contact after 20 minutes when her phone battery ran out.

She had told them she might be in the Cockshutt area of north Shropshire and triangulation checks on her mobile indicated this was the general location.

More than 40 officers, including the West Mercia Police helicopter and dog handlers, were involved in the initial search and a large number of officers continued to make extensive inquiries.

More than 30 calls were received in response to appeals for information, including sightings in pubs.

At the time, Miss Gough’s parents, John and Mary Gough from Craven Arms, made an emotional appeal for help from the public in searching for their daughter and to Miss Gough herself.

Miss Gough and her parents were not available for comment today.

By Sophie Bignall