The mother of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, who went missing for 24 days in February, has pleaded not guilty to her kidnap and false imprisonment.

Karen Matthews, 32, who had previously been accused of perverting the course of justice and child neglect, went before Leeds Crown Court along with co-accused Michael Donovan.

Donovan, 40, who was already charged with nine-year-old Shannon's kidnap and false imprisonment, also faces an extra charge of perverting the course of justice.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice charges.

No plea was entered for the child neglect charge.

Shannon disappeared on February 19 and was eventually discovered less than a mile from her home in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire.

Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury, was arrested on March 14 after the schoolgirl was found in nearby Batley Carr.

Formerly known as Paul Drake, he is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, Craig Meehan.

Shannon, a Westmoor Junior School pupil, vanished after going on a swimming trip.

Police mounted a massive investigation involving hundreds of officers and a team of 60 detectives to try to find her.

She was eventually found in a drawer of a bed.

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.