A councillor says she has been through hell after police charged her with racism.

Jo Calvert-Mindell, 51, a former police officer, was speaking after prosecutors dropped the charge against her.

Cllr Calvert-Mindell, who serves on Canterbury City Council was charged in April – six months after she had tried to get police to arrest students she said were misbehaving in Long Meadow Way, Canterbury.

She said: "I felt totally humiliated. I am a vulnerable, disabled woman who was recovering from a car accident when the police arrested me."

The allegation of racism revolved around a comment to two students, who were British Asian.

Cllr Calvert-Mindell, a Liberal Democrat, was taken to Canterbury police station, where DNA, fingerprints and a statement under caution were taken from her.

She says she still feels sick when she relives her ordeal, despite the relief of the CPS formally withdrawing the charge.

Supt Chris Hogben, from Canterbury police, said: "An allegation was made that was fully investigated by officers."

Assistant district crown prosecutor Carol Chastney said: "The CPS keeps each case under continuous review, and we decided to discontinue the proceedings against the defendant as there is no longer sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction."