Family to spend Easter without Shannon as she opts to stay with social workers

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As her siblings enjoy Easter eggs and the school holidays, the nine-year-old has still not been reunited with her family and friends back in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Shannon is now in the care of Kirklees Family Services on a voluntary basis and it is thought that she will not be going home for some time.

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Alone: Shannon's mother Karen - pictured here carrying bags of Easter eggs that she won't be able to share with her daughter

Her mother Karen, 32, stepfather Craig Meehan, 22, and siblings Tony, 11, Cameron, five, and Courtney, two, will have to try to enjoy Easter without her.

Shannon disappeared on February 19 and was eventually discovered less than a mile from her home 24 days after she went missing.

Shannon Matthews remains in the care of family services on a voluntary basis

On Wednesday, family members planted a pink magnolia tree in the centre of the front garden at their home in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire.

Karen Matthews's cousin Susan Howgate, said it still remained unclear when Shannon would be coming home.

She said: "I was going to buy her a Easter egg but my husband said there's no point as we don't know how long she will be away.

"When she comes home I'm planning a big party just for family members. We just don't know when that will be."

Shannon vanished after going on a school swimming trip.

The police mounted a massive investigation involving hundreds of officers and a team of 60 detectives to try to find her.

The youngster was discovered last Friday in Batley Carr.

Michael Donovan, 39, of Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury, has appeared at Dewsbury Magistrates Court charged with the kidnap and false imprisonment of Shannon.

He was remanded in custody and will appear next at Leeds Crown Court on March 26.

Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake, is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, Mr Meehan.