Cheshire Police have released a statement following the owners of Bosley Mill being cleared of gross negligence manslaughter.

The blast on July 17, 2015, killed Dorothy Bailey, 62, Derek William Barks, 51, Derek Moore, 62, and Jason Shingler, 38, whose body was never recovered.

Mill manager Peter Shingler, 56, and operations manager Philip Smith, 58, had each been charged with a health and safety offence but on Friday, following a 12-week trial, the jury was directed to return not guilty verdicts.

Their acquittal came after the jury was directed on Thursday to find mill owner George Boden and firm Wood Treatment Ltd not guilty of manslaughter charges.

Cheshire Constabulary have responded to the closure of the case.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Hughes, who led the investigation, said: "Following the devastating explosion at Wood Treatment Ltd in Bosley back in 2015, when four people tragically lost their lives, others were seriously injured and a community was devastated, a joint investigation was launched between Cheshire Constabulary and the Health and Safety Executive, assisted by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"This has been a complicated and lengthy process and our teams have worked tirelessly to provide a full file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service who authorised the charges and in January a trial got underway.

"On 22 April, Mrs Justice May directed that the charges of corporate manslaughter and gross negligence be discontinued and the prosecution subsequently went to the Court of Appeal who agreed with Judge in the case.

"We acknowledge and accept the decision now made by the court."

Following the decision, George Boden pleaded guilty to HSWA Section 37, with the company Wood Treatment Limited having already pleaded guilty to HSWA S2, sentencing will take place on 18 June.

The remaining two defendants (Mr Shingler and Mr Smith) received direction from the court to be found not guilty following the plea entered by Boden.

CI Hughes said: "We understand that this will not be what the families had hoped for and that it will not take away from the devastating loss they feel.

"We know that this has been an extremely difficult time for everyone involved and we are continuing to support the families as they come to terms with the outcome."