Sun, sea and SHAMELESS! Holidaying Brits who mocked kidnapped Shannon Mathews for a Benidorm fancy dress bash are slammed for their 'poor taste' and 'disgusting' prank

The outrageous prank was carried out by four Britons during an all-day bender
Men dressed up as members of kidnap victim's family while partying in resort
One man, sporting a red wig, impersonated Shannon's criminal mother Karen
Shocked Brits back home were quick to criticise 'distasteful' costumes online

Published: 11:01 GMT, 17 November 2017 | Updated: 11:21 GMT, 17 November 2017

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Disturbing photographs of Brits mocking Shannon Matthews have been taken at a fancy dress festival in Benidorm.

The outrageous prank, carried out by four Britons during an all-day bender in the Spanish party resort, saw the men dress up as members of the kidnap victim's family.

One man, sporting a red wig, appears to be impersonating Shannon's mother Karen, who was eventually convicted of hatching the kidnap plot of her own daughter.

Another looked to be dressed as Karen's partner Craig Meehan, while a friend carried a mattress - a nod to Shannon's discovery inside a divan bed - under his arm.

Disturbing photographs of Brits mocking Shannon Matthews have been taken at a fancy dress festival in Benidorm

The young girl's face had even been photoshopped to appear like that of another friend, in a 'Help find Shannon' banner that the group carried around the resort.

Britons back home were quick to criticise the 'distasteful' costumes, which appeared in photos posted on Facebook.

Marie Bloxham wrote: 'Disgusting. Why would they find it funny to dress up like that is beyond me.'

Byron Smith added: 'So sick, especially for those with a child genuinely missing. Some things just aren't funny.'

The Costa Blanca festival even saw some boozed-up tourists donning offensive 'blackface' costumes.

Two men appeared to be wearing outfits depicting the controversial golliwog, a children's doll which has become a symbol of reviled racist stereotyping.

Most Britons back home were quick to criticise the 'distasteful' costumes, which appeared in photos posted on Facebook

Karen Matthews became a figure of hate in the UK after claiming that her daughter Shannon had been kidnapped in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in February 2008.

Shannon was found, following a police search costing £5million, 24 days later less than a mile from her home in a house belonging to Michael Donovan.

The youngster had been tied up, drugged and hidden in the base of a divan bed at the home of Donovan, who was the uncle of Karen's partner Meehan.

It is thought that Matthews staged the kidnap in order to claim the £50,000 reward for her return.

She was convicted of kidnapping, false imprisonment, and perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to eight years along with Donovan.

Matthews was released after serving four years at New Hall prison in West Yorkshire and Foston Hall prison in Derbyshire.

The outrageous prank, carried out by four Britons during an all-day bender in the Spanish party resort of Benidorm (stock), saw the men dress up as members of the kidnap victim's family