The mother of Shannon Matthews will appear in court today in connection with the alleged abduction of her daughter.

The frantic family of missing UK schoolgirl Shannon Matthews was facing a third day today not knowing what has become of the nine-year-old.

A 12-year-old girl who was released by police this morning after being quizzed over the attempted murder of a five-year-old boy has been re-arrested, police said.

Detectives were continuing to question three children today over the attempted murder of a five-year-old boy who was found with horrific ligature-type marks around his neck.