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Madeleine ribbons to be cleared Madeleine ribbons to be cleared
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of ribbons put up to show support for Madeleine McCann in her home village are to be taken down.Hundreds of ribbons put up to show support for Madeleine McCann in her home village are to be taken down.
Villagers tied yellow strips to the Cross Green war memorial in Rothley, Leicestershire, which became the focus for vigils praying for her safe return.Villagers tied yellow strips to the Cross Green war memorial in Rothley, Leicestershire, which became the focus for vigils praying for her safe return.
Brian Kennedy, Madeleine's great-uncle, said the removal of the ribbons did not mean people had given up hope of finding the four-year-old.Brian Kennedy, Madeleine's great-uncle, said the removal of the ribbons did not mean people had given up hope of finding the four-year-old.
Three-year-old Madeleine was abducted from an apartment in Portugal on 3 May. Madeleine was abducted from an apartment in Portugal on 3 May.
US visitUS visit
Mr Kennedy, said: "[It's] not because in any way we feel that we're giving up hope or the search is any less than it was.Mr Kennedy, said: "[It's] not because in any way we feel that we're giving up hope or the search is any less than it was.
"It's as big as ever - in fact it's more widespread than anything but they've been on the green for a long time and the green doesn't just belong to us, it belongs to everyone.""It's as big as ever - in fact it's more widespread than anything but they've been on the green for a long time and the green doesn't just belong to us, it belongs to everyone."
Soft toys, which were also left to show support for the child were cleared from the memorial in June.Soft toys, which were also left to show support for the child were cleared from the memorial in June.
Father Gerry McCann travelled to the US and met with the attorney general over the issue of tackling child abduction earlier in the week.Father Gerry McCann travelled to the US and met with the attorney general over the issue of tackling child abduction earlier in the week.
He and his wife Kate have also travelled across Europe looking for their daughter who disappeared from their apartment in the Algarve holiday resort of Praia da Luz while they were eating at a nearby restaurant.He and his wife Kate have also travelled across Europe looking for their daughter who disappeared from their apartment in the Algarve holiday resort of Praia da Luz while they were eating at a nearby restaurant.