MEMBERS of Bolton Mountain Rescue team have been called in to help in the search for missing Oldham child Rosemary McCann.

A total of 29 team members were involved in the search in the Alexandra Park area on Monday and yesterday members searched the streets near to Rosemary's home.

The Mountain Rescue operation is being co-ordinated by the Oldham team and involves groups from all over the area, including Rossendale and the Peak District.

Rosemary, aged five, disappeared from her home in Kipling Road, Oldham on Sunday while a teenage babysitter was asleep in another room.

Her mother, 26-year-old Josie Mahon, yesterday made an emotional appeal for people to respond to a police call to check garages, outbuildings and vehicles for her daughter.

Bolton team leader Garry Rhodes said the public were being "very helpful". He said: "People are helping us by offering to search their gardens. We have got a lot of support from local people." He said most team members have young children. "Normally we are looking for an adult. Because we are looking for a child it can be harrowing," said Mr Rhodes.

Meanwhile, a man appeared in court today charged with abducting Rosemary. Andrew Pountley, 31, of Kew Road, Oldham, Greater Manchester, was remanded in custody until Friday by Oldham Magistrates.

Pountley's solicitor made no application for bail and reporting restrictions were not lifted.

Pountley is accused of taking Rosemary from the control of her mother without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.