Parents enjoy emotional return

Shevaun's parents were reunited with their daughter by police

Shevaun Pennington's parents have spoken of their delight during the moment they finally saw their 12-year-old daughter after four frantic days.

Stephen and Joanna Pennington were reunited with Shevaun at Leigh police station in Lancashire on Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs Pennington, 42, broke down and wept as she spoke of her gratitude to the various police forces, authorities and media organisations that had contributed to the schoolgirl's return.

Shevaun's mother said her daughter's phonecall from Germany on Wednesday morning had been everything she had wished for.

"It was fantastic because I was hoping and praying. It was the phone call we wanted to hear.

"She knew she was wanted back so yes, it was a good phone call, the best one I have ever had."

And actually seeing her daughter was a tremendous relief, she said.

"I cannot tell you how relieved I am. It is such a turnaround from the situation days ago, which seems years ago. It is absolutely fantastic."

First words

Husband Stephen, 43, said his daughter had seemed "well enough".

"I asked if she was tired, she said she was all right. From now on, we just carry on with our lives as best we can."

Mrs Pennington said her first words on being reunited with her daughter were "how are you?" and "give us a hug".

She continued: "I don't think anybody could have even written this. It has been unbelievable.

"It is like living your life seeing it as if you are looking in.

"I cannot describe it. I'm still coming to terms with it and getting my head round what's happened."

Family exhausted

Asked how long it would take to work out exactly what happened and return to normality in the family home, she replied: "A long time. But we will be working towards that."

Mrs Pennington said the family did not have the energy to celebrate.

"I'm not sure we are actually fit enough to celebrate. We are just so tired.

"We will just take it one step at a time, slowly, and get family life back to normal.

"She has always been mature and responsible, but to go round Europe - you've got to draw the line somewhere. I'm overwhelmed."