Two men who sparked a manhunt when their tent was found empty have admitted abandoning their camp after hearing a "scary" noise.
A jacket and enough food for four days were found inside the tent
About 50 volunteers joined the search when the empty tent was found in remote Harwood Forest, near Rothbury, Northumberland, on 5 December.
Sniffer dogs and a helicopter with a thermal imaging camera were also used.
When they were traced on Saturday, the men confessed to driving away in a panic after hearing the noise.
Police had been concerned after finding a jacket and enough food for four days inside the tent.
The abandoned campsite equipment has now been returned to the men, a Northumbria Police spokesman said.