Shannon Matthews found alive

Schoolgirl Shannon Matthews has been found alive in the Batley Carr area of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Police had been searching for the nine-year-old for over three weeks.

The youngster has now been taken to a police station where she will be reunited with her mother.

A West Yorkshire Police statement said: "As part of ongoing investigations, detectives and specialist search officers attended a house at Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, Dewsbury, at 1230 GMT this afternoon.

"During a search of the house, officers located Shannon Matthews who was found concealed in the base of a divan bed.

"A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of abduction at the address and is currently in custody at a West Yorkshire police station.

"Shannon is currently in the care of West Yorkshire Police. Investigations are ongoing."

Read the full story in later editions of the Express & Star.