Shannon's stepfather arrested

Craig Meehan was arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children (GETTY)

Police investigating the disappearance of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews have arrested her stepfather Craig Meehan, sources said today.

The 22-year-old was held on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.

West Yorkshire Police said the suspect, who they did not name, was detained after officers examined a number of computers during the search for the nine-year-old, who went missing for nearly four weeks.

Meehan lives with Shannon's mother Karen Matthews at Moorside Road in Dewsbury Moor.

Shannon disappeared on her way home from a school swimming trip on February 19.

She was found 24 days later at the house of Meehan's uncle in Batley Carr, a mile from her home.

Michael Donovan, 39, of Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury, was later charged with Shannon's kidnapping and imprisonment.

His trial has been provisionally set for November 11 at Leeds Crown Court.

Hundreds of officers and 60 detectives were involved in the three week search for Shannon.

Shannon has not returned home since she was found.