Police confirmed the news today - 24 days since she went missing in Dewsbury. Her disappearance sparked the biggest manhunt in West Yorkshire since the Yorkshire Ripper inquiry.

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Unofficial reports suggested the nine-year-old had been found at a house believed in the neighbouring town of Batley Carr in a council flat in Lidgate Gardens.

Police officially confirmed that a 39-year-old local man had been arrested in connection with the discovery of Shannon.

Police smashed their way into a flat in Lidgate Gardens in Batley Carr and emerged carrying Shannon, neighbours said.

She was foud in the base of a divan bed.

The young girl looked "quite calm" and officers confirmed that she was OK.

In a statement West Yorkshire Police said: "As part of ongoing investigations, detectives and specialist search officers attended a house at Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, Dewsbury at 12.30pm this afternoon.

"During a search of the house, officers located Shannon Matthews who was found concealed in the base of a divan bed.

"A 39 year old man was arrested on suspicion of abduction at the address and is currently in custody at a West Yorkshire Police Station.

"Shannon is currently in the care of West Yorkshire Police.

"Investigations are ongoing."

SHANNON FOUND: Click here for a timeline of events leading her up to her being found.

A large area of Batley Carr had been sealed off by police, with police tape surrounding one long terrace of houses in Lidgate Gardens.

The back door of number 26 had been kicked in by police and the doorframe was hanging off.

One local resident today described the dramatic moments immediately after Shannon was discovered.

He said: "I was walking down Mill Road about 1.15pm and heard loads of commotion coming from Lidgate Gardens.

"I went round the corner and saw lots of police round a flat. Then a man in a suit brought a little girl out.

"She looked OK, there didn't seem to be any physical marks on her.

"You could tell she was scared, though, there was something in her face.

"The police put her in a car and drove her away.

"About five minutes later the cops dragged a man out and put him in a van."

Another local resident, who did not want to give her name, said: "One of my neighbours heard banging.

"When he went outside, police were breaking the door down - the man wouldn't come out so they broke in.

"Apparently they found her in bed. He said she was quite calm. Police carried her out.

"My neighbour asked, 'is it Shannon?" and the policeman just said, 'yes' and said she was OK."

Shannon disappeared on Tuesday, February 19 following an after-school swimming lesson at Dewsbury Sports centre. She was dropped back at school but then disappeared into thin air.

Since then her parents and police have made emotional pleas for her safe return, as more than 200 officers and 100 detectives scoured the area where she was last seen.

A local resident told the YEP: "I've just seen Shannon being taken out of a house in Batley Carr. She is safe and well."

Her father, Leon Rose, has reportedly been told to keep his phone line free.

Shannon's aunt, Amanda Hyett, said the news was "wonderful".

She told the YEP: "I can't believe it - what an incredible relief."

Ms Hyett said Shannon's mother, Karen Matthews, had been driven away from her home in Dewsbury Moor by a police liaison officer shortly before 2pm.

Ms Matthews was with her partner, Craig Meehan.

Shannon's uncle Neil Hyatt said he heard from his wife that his niece had been found safe and well.

The coach driver who was stuck in Barnsley at work when the YEP spoke to him and he said he just wanted to get home to find out.

"Butterflies are in my stomach .

"I just can't wait to get home right now to find out."

Mrs Matthews's cousin, Susan Howgate, said: "I've had loads of texts. It sound good news. But we're all just waiting to find out what's happening."

Everyone at Shannon's school, Westmoor Junior School, was celebrating news of her discovery.

Head teacher, Krystyna Piatkowski, told the YEP: "Myself, the staff, the pupils and everyone at the school are delighted and relieved that Shannon has been found."

Resident Susan Hargate, who has been an integral part of the search party led by the local community, said: "I have heard she has been found. I really hope it's good news.

"If it is I am going to release all the ribbons I have made in her name. My fingers are tightly crossed and I'll keep praying until we know for sure.

"We just want her back safe."

There were loud cheers as the news was relayed to the headquarters of the Moorside Tenants and Residents Association where the search for Shannon was centered.

The small community centre, in Moorside Avenue, had become the headquarters of the search for Shannon campaign.

Association chairperson Julie Bushby said: "This is absolutely brilliant news. We are all delighted to hear it. The main thing now is getting Shannon back with Craig and Karen where she belongs and helping that family get back to normal."