Vandalism fears over Shannon 'welcome home' tree

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A tree planted to welcome home missing Yorkshire schoolgirl Shannon Matthews has been moved by supporters in fear that it would be vandalised.

The pink magnolia was planted near her home on March 19, five days after she was found by police.

But locals fear the tree and surrounding flowers would come under attack from people angry after the arrest of Shannon's mother Karen Matthews on charges of perverting the course of justice and neglect.

The family house has been boarded up.

Speaking at her home in Dewsbury Moor yesterday, Karen's best friend Petra Jamieson, 30, said: "We asked the police if we could move the tree because we didn't want anything to happen to it."

Shannon Matthews disappeared in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in February with police launching a massive manhunt for the nine-year-old.

The schoolgirl was found safe in the base of a bed a mile from her home 24 days after disappearing.

Shannon was missing for 24 days before she was found just a mile from her home