Shannon Matthews' grandparents apply to be her full time carers in wake of kidnap scandal

With Shannon's mother Karen, 32, languishing in prison awaiting trial on charges of child neglect, her grandparents June and Gordon Matthews have started proceedings to look after her permanently.

Karen's former partner Craig Meehan, 22, who lived with her and four of her children, is on remand on child pornography charges.

Caring: Shannon Matthew's grandparents June and Gordon

Dedicated June, 64, and Gordon, 65, have met with social workers to investigate the possibility of fostering Shannon and three of her siblings - Toni, 11, Cameron, five, and Courtney, two.

The children are currently being looked after by foster parents, under the supervision of social services.

A source close to the family said: "June and Gordon are the most wonderful people and they would be fantastic to look after the children.

"They've been through such a lot and what the children need is some stability in their life.

"With Karen in prison and Craig well out the picture, June and Gordon are the only decent family those poor children have left in the world.

"They have met with Shannon's social worker and made it clear that they want to take responsibility for the children. They feel it's the only way they will get the chance to live a normal upbringing." 

Kidnapped: Shannon Matthews

Speaking at her home in Dewsbury, West Yorks, June said: "I have to think of Karen and think of those kiddies as well. At a time like this, you've got to.

"We have asked to be considered as carers for Shannon, Toni, Cameron and Courtney.

"We really want to look after them, and I hope Karen wants that too." 

Karen, who is in New Hall women's prison in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, awaiting trial on charges of child neglect, has seven children by five different fathers.

Four of them lived with her and partner Craig Meehan in Dewsbury.

Shannon's three other siblings, Ian, 10, Kelly, six and Daniel, seven, live with their respective fathers.

Earlier this month jailbird Karen made an emotional plea to her parents, begging them to visit her in prison.

After disowning them in the wake of their criticism of her parenting credentials, she begged for forgiveness insisting she was a "good mother" until she met her partner Craig.

Supermarket fishmonger Meehan was remanded in custody yesterday for a further seven days after appearing before magistrates on child pornography charges.

He faced Dewsbury Magistrates' Court accused of possessing 140 indecent images of children.

The pictures were allegedly found on a computer at the home he shared with Karen Matthews.

Meehan denies the charges and will stand trial at a later date.

He is accused of 11 specimen offences of possession of indecent images of children.It is alleged that Meehan possessed indecent images of children aged between four and 16, graded at levels one to four - on a scale where one is the least serious and five the most.

Shannon went missing on February 19 and was discovered hidden in the base of a bed in a flat just one mile from her home after a 24-day search by police.

Meehan's uncle Michael Donovan, 39, of Batley Carr, West Yorkshire ,has been charged with Shannon's kidnap and imprisonment.

He will go on trial at Leeds Crown Court on November 11 alongside Karen Matthews, who is charged with child neglect and perverting the course of justice.