Shannon police divers search pond

Divers are trawling the pond 500m from Shannon's home

Police divers have returned to search a pond in Dewsbury as the hunt for nine-year-old Shannon Matthews moves into a fifth day.

West Yorkshire Police have said they are "gravely concerned" for the youngster who vanished after leaving school on Tuesday.

The pond, which was examined by police frogmen on Wednesday, is 500m from Shannon's home on Moorside Road.

About 250 police officers are now involved in the hunt for Shannon.

While divers are trawling the pond behind Dewsbury Hospital on Heards Road, other officers are searching outdoor areas and carrying out house-to-house inquiries.

Meanwhile, neighbours of Shannon's family are taking leaflets carrying her picture to Leeds United's Elland Road football stadium for Saturday's match with Crewe Alexandra.

The pamphlet is a copy of posters, which have been placed in the Dewsbury Moor area, asking for information about the girl's disappearance.

SHANNON'S MOVEMENTS Shannon left Dewsbury Swimming pool shortly before 1500 GMT on Tuesday She was last seen getting of the bus at school after swimming at 1510 GMT She is believed to have taken the 400m route home alone She was reported missing to police at 1900 GMT Possible sighting on Moorside Road on Wednesday between 0915 and 0930 GMT

CCTV images have been released of Shannon as she left Dewsbury Sports Centre after a school swimming trip, a short time before she disappeared.

The children were brought back from the baths to their school on a bus, where they were then allowed home.

Shannon can be seen wearing a black jacket and distinctive pink Bratz boots.

The last confirmed sighting of her was when she left Moorside Primary School on Tuesday.

Detectives say she would normally make the 400m journey home with friends - but set off on her own on the day she vanished.

Police said she would also have been wearing a black school jumper, a white cotton T-shirt, black trousers and a black, waist-length coat with fur round the hood.

Growing desperation in hunt

Det Supt Andy Brennan confirmed Shannon had written on her bedroom wall that she wanted to see more of her natural father who split from her mother several years ago.

But he said this was just one of many scribbles daubed on the wall of the schoolgirl's bedroom.

Shannon's father, Leon Rose, said his daughter may have been trying to get to his home in nearby Huddersfield.

Police have described Shannon as white, around 4ft 1in and slim, with shoulder-length, medium-brown hair, which was possibly tied up in a ponytail. She has blue eyes and freckles.

Mr Brennan said police "remained gravely concerned" for Shannon's welfare and appealed for anyone with information to contact West Yorkshire Police, or the Crimestoppers phoneline.