The family of missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews have led a vigil in her home town.

Shannon's mother Karen and stepfather Craig Meehan joined around 300 members of the community to march through the streets near their home in Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire.

The crowd, which included around 100 children, released balloons and chanted: "Shannon, we want you home."

The detective leading the hunt for the nine-year-old has said he fears she "may have fallen into the wrong hands".

Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan said: "What concerns me greatly at this point is that Shannon is a vulnerable nine-year-old girl who may have fallen into the wrong hands."

Shannon has not been seen since leaving school last Tuesday.

But detectives insist they have not given up hope of finding Shannon alive.

Chief Superintendent Barry South said: "We're not going to lose hope.

"We are doing our best to locate Shannon safe and well."

Sniffer dogs, mounted police, rescue teams, helicopters and forensic scientists have been called in to widen the search.

Officers have received more than 300 calls from the public and searched more than 200 homes.

Ch Supt South said the investigation would not be scaled down, adding: "I've said from the outset I believe that somebody out there has a vital piece of information."

Detectives released CCTV footage showing Shannon entering and leaving Dewsbury Sports Centre swimming pool with classmates shortly before she disappeared.

She was wearing a black jumper with a school logo, a white cotton T-shirt, black trousers, a waist-length black coat with fur around the hood and distinctive pink and grey "Bratz" furry boots.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 01274 373737.

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