POLICE have traced a woman they needed to speak to after a massive response to an unusual photograph they issued of her sticking out her tongue.

North Yorkshire Police stressed the woman is not a suspect in any crime, but a potential witness and may have vital information relating to an ongoing investigation.

On the force's Facebook page on Wednesday morning, a police spokesperson said: “It is not known who she is or where she lives and by sharing the appeal on social media, police are hoping that the woman, or someone who recognises her will get in touch. 

“For operational reasons we are not able to provide any further details about the investigation, but again stress that she is not a suspect."

Her picture - which showed her sticking out her tongue and sporting a round sticker saying "Adult Admission" - was shared thousands of times on Facebook and re-tweeted hundreds of time on Twitter.

Police forces around the UK have helped share the message.

On Wednesday evening, the force issued a new release asking for the media to now remove the photo.

"We have traced the woman whose photo we issued earlier today in our urgent appeal. Our thanks go to everyone who shared the appeal or rang in with information. Just to reiterate, she was not wanted, nor a suspect in a crime," an officer wrote.

"We have now removed her photo from our timeline and ask that everyone does the same to protect her future privacy. Thank you all again for your support."