MP's praise for missing girl hunt

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An MP has praised police and community members in his constituency for their efforts in searching for missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews.

Shahid Malik, MP for Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said there had been an "unprecedented" response in the hunt for the nine-year-old.

Shannon was last seen on her way home from school on 19 February.

Mr Malik said: "The community has been magnificent. The police will leave no stone unturned in trying to find her."

Detectives have said she may have "fallen into the wrong hands".

'Darling daughter'

Earlier this week, volunteers distributed leaflets and posters as part of the search.

Mr Malik said everyone in the community still had hope that Shannon would be found safe.

"Hope is the key. If you start to lose hope then you lose the energy to get out there and keep looking," he said.

"Everyone is working flat out and really want to see a positive ending to all this."

Shannon's mother Karen made an emotional plea on Mother's Day for her daughter's safe return.

Karen Matthews made an emotional Mother's Day plea

In a statement Ms Matthews said: "I don't want cards or presents, I just want my darling daughter home safely."

A national paper has put up a Â£20,000 reward for her safe return.

Det Supt Andy Brennan, one of West Yorkshire's most senior detectives, said the search for the missing girl would continue unabated.

The Sun said it was putting up the Â£20,000 reward and has printed posters urging readers to help in the search.

Shannon's mother and stepfather said: "Our message to people is never give up because we won't until we find her."