Shannon Matthews trial Day 3 - Hunt pulled estate together

Nov 13 2008 By Andrew Jackson

THE Dewsbury Moor estate pulled together as the search for Shannon intensified, a court heard today.

Julie Bushby, chairwoman of the Moorside Tenants and Residents’ Association, said locals took part in the search for the nine-year-old and also held events to raise the profile of her disappearance.

She told the court how torches were given to volunteers who went out at night looking for Shannon as the night-time temperature dropped.

Ms Bushby said more than 100 t-shirts were donated by Leeds-based Asda, with a picture of Shannon on the front and an appeal for help in finding Shannon.

Local shops provided free photocopying for leaflets which were distributed by an army of volunteers.

A week after Shannon disappeared, more than 100 people took part in a march which stopped outside Matthews’ house, the jury was told.

A large banner was also produced with a picture of Shannon and an appeal for help in finding her.

On March 4, two weeks after Shannon vanished, local residents took part in a sponsored walk.