The ex-partner of young Shannon Matthews' mum today denied possession of child pornography.

Craig Meehan, 22, of Dewsbury Moor, Yorkshire has pleaded not guilty to possessing 140 indecent images of children on a computer.

In court Meehan spoke only to enter his not guilty plea and to confirm his name, age, address and that he elected to stand trial at the Magistrates' Court rather than by a jury at crown court.

He was arrested earlier this month by officers investigating Shannon's disappearance.

It is alleged that the supermarket fishmonger possessed indecent images of children aged between four and 16, graded at levels one to four - on a scale where one is the least serious and five the most.

They were allegedly found on one of two computers at the family home where he lived with Karen Matthews, 32, for around five years.

Shannon went missing on February 19 and was discovered hidden in the base of a bed in a flat just one mile from her home after a 24-day search.

Meehan's uncle, Michael Donovan, 39, of Batley Carr, has been charged with Shannon's kidnap and imprisonment.

He will go on trial at Leeds Crown Court on November 11 alongside Karen Matthews who is charged with child neglect and perverting the course of justice.

Other members of Meehan's family have also been arrested by officers investigating Shannon's disappearance.