Mother 'convinced' Shannon is alive

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In a television interview, Karen Matthews, 32, said the disappearance of her daughter, who vanished following a school swimming trip on February 19, was "breaking everyone's hearts" in her local community in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire.

And she spoke of the hurt caused by those who have accused her partner Craig Meehan, 22, of having something to do with Shannon's disappearance, saying she knew he was not involved.

A huge police operation and frantic searches by family and friends have so far failed to find a trace of the young girl and there have been no confirmed sightings of her since she left Westmoor Junior School in Dewsbury at 3.10pm.

Mrs Matthews told GMTV: "Wherever she is, she's going to be frightened. It's just breaking everyone's hearts in the street. They just want her back as a normal child would be in her own environment where she knows best. I don't think she has run away, I think something sinister has happened. I'm convinced she is still alive. I know she is."

Mrs Matthews said she found it hard to get up in the morning, knowing that Shannon would not be coming home after school. Sitting on a sofa with Mr Meehan, both wearing the white T-shirts appealing for Shannon's return, she said her partner of four years had been her "rock".

Speaking about the accusations directed towards Mr Meehan, Mrs Matthews said: "I know it's nothing to do with him, he wouldn't hurt anyone. It's very hurtful to think people think he would do something like it, because he wouldn't."

Mr Meehan told the programme: "I have not taken much notice of fingers being pointed at me. They (the police) do it to every family this happens to... as they can get more information to bring her home."

The 22-year-old said he thought of Shannon, whose real father Leon Rose, 29, lives 10 miles away, as his daughter.

"Me as stepfather, I don't see it as that, I see her as my own daughter. We get on brilliant, I just want her back," he said, comforting Mrs Matthews as she sobbed on his shoulder. "We have got to keep hoping and praying. I know she will come back."