24-day ordeal ends well for family

THE father of Shannon Matthews said yesterday he was “over the moon” that his daughter had been found alive.

Leon Rose said being reunited with the missing nine-year-old would be like “winning the lottery”.

He also thanked everyone who helped in the 24-day search for Shannon, as he insisted he had never given up hope.

Mr Rose said: “I did say on the news I wasn’t going to give up until she was found. I’ve kept going, and every day I went out there as much as I could.”

Shannon’s mother, Karen Matthews, was said to be “in shock” after being told the news.

Victoria Saunders, aged 28, a cousin of Ms Matthews, said: “I’m feeling huge relief.

“I’m really happy and excited. I haven’t been sleeping since she went, but I’m just so happy now.”

Shannon’s schoolmates were crying and hugging each other as they returned home yesterday afternoon.

Callie Brown, aged eight, who is in the same class as Shannon, said: “We all had to go into the hall for an assembly. I was crying my eyes out.

“I’m going to give these 22 letters to her from her friends. I have missed her loads.”

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann were among the first to welcome the news.

Kate and Gerry McCann’s spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said the development gave the couple hope.

He said: “Kate and Gerry are aware that she has been found alive. They feel that is excellent news, they are delighted that she is alive. It proves that children can go missing for whatever reason and still be found alive.”