Shafilea Ahmed's parents denied involvement in her death

Iftikhar Ahmed, 44, and his wife Farzana, 41, were arrested in December.

On Thursday Cheshire Police said it is "inappropriate" to retain them on police bail after a thorough inquiry.

Shafilea Ahmed, 17, was found on a riverbank in the Lake District in February after she disappeared from home in September 2003.

The police investigation into the murder of Shafilea Ahmed is ongoing with many active lines of inquiry still being progressed Cheshire Police

Mr and Mrs Ahmed have both vehemently denied any involvement in the teenager's death.

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: "Two people, a man and a woman, were due to answer police bail on 17 July this year.

"They have been informed there will be no need for them to attend at a police station, as arranged, on this date.

"The police investigation into the murder of Shafilea Ahmed is ongoing with many active lines of inquiry still being progressed.

"In the circumstances, and with due regard to the necessary lengths of time involved to properly and thoroughly investigate relevant lines of inquiry, it is inappropriate to retain these two people on police bail."

Mr and Mrs Ahmed were arrested over the death amid speculation their daughter was the victim of an honour killing.

The teenager had written poems about feeling trapped and several months before her disappearance drank bleach after being introduced to a suitor for an arranged marriage on a family trip to Pakistan.