Police check possible missing girl sightings

Police were on Thursday investigating three possible sightings of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews who disappeared after a school swimming trip in West Yorkshire on Tuesday.

More than 250 officers are involved in trying to track her whereabouts after she was last seen at the gates of West Moor Junior School in Dewsbury on Tuesday afternoon.

One sighting may have been on Wednesday morning on School Lane, police said.

The other two may have been in Dewsbury on Tuesday evening, one in a park, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and the other on fields at the back of the school between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Police are also investigating suggestions she had told friends she wanted to run away.

"As you can see, since Shannon's disappearance, West Yorkshire Police have undertaken a massive extensive search," said Kirklees Division Commander Chief Superintendent Barry South.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan said: "It is almost 48 hours since Shannon went missing which is a significant amount of time for any 9-year-old. I am mindful that we do not exclude any possibility.

"We are interviewing Shannon's friends, family and neighbours. Additionally extensive searches have been made and they will continue with the assistance of specialist officers."

Late on Wednesday, the young girl's mother, Karen, 32, made an emotional appeal for her "princess" to come home.

"Shannon please come home, please, I'm begging you baby, come home," she told reporters. "Shannon, you are not in trouble, darling, please come home. We all love you."

Police said she had never gone missing before.