SEARCHES have been carried out at a Dewsbury park for missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews.

Police were yesterday focussing their search on Crow Nest Park, off Heckmondwike Road at Dewsbury Moor.

The area has already been covered once in the hunt for the nine-year-old – but this time council workers cut down bushes and trees in the area to allow search teams better access.

As well as searching land around the park, police were also visiting houses in the area.

Shannon has been missing since February 19, when she failed to return to her home on Moorside Road after a school swimming trip.

She was last seen at Westmoor Junior School on Church Lane at 3.10pm, after being dropped off with classmates following the trip to Dewsbury Leisure Centre.

CCTV footage from across Dewsbury is being trawled and 3,000 premises have been searched.

A DNA profile of Shannon has been taken using items from her bedroom and her schoolbooks. This is being used, along with a full set of fingerprints, to help police positively determine whether she has visited certain locations.

Now, Westlife, one of Shannon’s favourite bands, have appealed for anyone who can help to come forward.

Speaking at a Newcastle concert on Wednesday band member Nicky Byrne, a dad of two, said: “If anyone knows where Shannon is, please get in touch with the police. Our thoughts are with her family, they must be living their worst nightmare.”

Despite there being no sign of her daughter for more than two weeks, mum-of-seven Mrs Matthews is convinced Shannon is still alive.

In an interview with GMTV, the 32-year-old said: “Wherever she is she has to be frightened. It’s breaking everyone’s hearts in the streets. They want her back in her own environment.

“I don’t think she has run away, I think something sinister has happened. I’m convinced she is still alive. I know she is.”

She said her partner Craig Meehan, 22, had been her “rock”. Mr Meehan said he had “not taken much notice” of people linking him to Shannon’s disappearance.

He said: “ I have not taken much notice of fingers being pointed at me. The police do it to every family this happens to, as they can get more information to bring her home.”

He added that he thinks of Shannon as his own daughter. “I see her as my own daughter. We get on brilliant, I just want her back.”

Anyone with information about Shannon should contact police on 01274 373737, text 07786 200806 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.