TIMELINE - The disappearance of Shannon Matthews

LONDON (Reuters) - Police said on Friday they had found missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews alive.

Here is a timeline of the main events in the case:

February 19 - The nine-year-old disappears in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, after going on a swimming trip.

February 21 - Police say more than 250 officers are involved in the search for her.

February 21 - Police issue an appeal on the YouTube video-sharing Web site

February 22 - Detectives release CCTV footage of Matthews taken hours before she went missing.

February 24 - Two new pictures are released as part of renewed appeals for the public's help.

March 1 - Her mother Karen Matthews makes an emotional Mother's Day appeal for her daughter's return.

March 5 - Police release a recording of the 999 emergency phone call made by Karen Matthews.