A doctor has been cleared of allegations he indecently assaulted a 17-year-old female patient.

The verdict, after a three-day trial, means that Dr Tanuku Venkata Suryanarayana, 56, of Old Langho, can return to medicine.

He was suspended from his duties as a GP at Accrington's Eagle Street surgery after the allegation was first made in February last year.

Dr Suryanarayana, a married father-of-two, declined to comment after the case. But in a statement read out to Preston Crown Court he said he had been left "upset and shocked" at the allegations.

At a previous hearing, a jury found the doctor was unfit to plead after considering psychiatrists' reports.

This meant the case was held to discover whether the alleged incident took place and not to find him guilty or not guilty.

After the case, David Rogers from Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust, which runs the surgery, said he was delighted that the doctor had been acquitted.

He said: "We hope to engage Dr Suryanarayana as soon as possible to discuss his future."

The court proceedings first began after allegations of indecent assault were made by a female patient.

She said that on February 6 2004, she had gone to see Dr Suryanarayana complaining of stomach ache but during the check-up she said she had been subjected to an "inappropriate examination".

She was given a chest and internal examination during which she said the doctor was trying to "arouse" her.

At court Dr Suryanarayana's solicitor, Andrew Hockton, said: "This was an entirely normal examination.

"This woman had a history of chest pains and asthma and it was appropriate to complete a chest examination."

"An internal examination is a perfectly normal way of carrying out an examination for abdominal problems."

Mr Hockton said he believed the girl, who is now 19, made the allegations after a misunderstanding.

Talking to the jury he added: "The police became involved and the situation became rather more serious. Is it possible that the complainant started to embroider her account?"