This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6941556.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Madeleine search reaches 100 days Prayers to mark missing Madeleine
(20 minutes later)
The passing of 100 days since Madeleine McCann disappeared in Portugal is to be marked by her family and supporters with a series of events. The parents of missing Madeleine McCann are marking 100 days since her disappearance with a church service.
It comes amid unconfirmed Portuguese newspaper reports that police now believe the four-year-old is dead. The couple are attending the service at a church in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz from where she vanished.
Her parents, Kate and Gerry, have also been forced to deny allegations they were somehow involved. Back in Britain, the four-year-old's grandparents are taking to the streets to hand out balloons, stickers and posters to highlight her plight.
The couple are attending a prayer service in Praia da Luz. In Britain sports stars will pledge their support. It comes amid unconfirmed reports in Portuguese newspapers that police now think the missing girl is dead.
Her parents, Kate and Gerry, say they still believe their daughter is alive.
A hundred days is a landmark of sorts Madeleine's great uncle Brian KennedyA hundred days is a landmark of sorts Madeleine's great uncle Brian Kennedy
Madeleine's grandparents, Brian and Susan Healey, will take to the streets in Liverpool to hand out balloons, stickers and posters to mark her disappearance. In recent days they have been forced to deny allegations they were somehow involved.
And in the family's home town of Rothley, in Leicestershire, relatives and friends of the McCanns marked the 100-day milestone with a quiet vigil at the local Catholic church. In the family's home town of Rothley, in Leicestershire, relatives and friends of the McCanns marked the 100-day milestone with a quiet vigil at the local Catholic church.
About 50 people gathered at the Sacred Heart Church to say prayers and light candles for Madeleine on Friday night.About 50 people gathered at the Sacred Heart Church to say prayers and light candles for Madeleine on Friday night.
Her great-uncle, Brian Kennedy, said: "A hundred days is a landmark of sorts. At 50 days we hoped at the time that we would not be here another 50 days later but here we are and so it goes on. Her great-uncle, Brian Kennedy, said: "A hundred days is a landmark of sorts. At 50 days we hoped at the time that we would not be here another 50 days later but here we are and so it goes on."
"I hope the investigation produces a result at the end." Her grandparents Brian and Susan Healey will be keeping her profile high as they take to the streets of Liverpool with balloons and stickers.
And at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, a special lament to the missing girl is to be played by a lone piper.
Traces of blood?
Madeleine's parents believe she is still alive and say they have not seen any "concrete evidence" to the contrary.
They have come under intense media pressure as police reportedly move away from the long-held belief that Madeleine was abducted from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May.
Portuguese police are publicly refusing to comment on the newspaper reports.
100 days of searching100 days of searching
Meanwhile, suspected traces of blood from the Algarve apartment where Madeleine was last seen are being tested in Birmingham by UK scientists.
The McCanns insist they will not be "bullied" into leaving Portugal by the growing backlash against them.
Mr McCann told the BBC: "It's incredibly difficult when people are implying that your daughter is dead and that you may have been involved in it.
"I had a fairly strong belief that there was a lack of evidence, certainly initially, that there was no evidence of serious harm and I do not know of any specific evidence now that alters that."
Madeleine's mother Kate said: "All we want is Madeleine back, and the truth to be out. Anything else we'll stay strong and we'll get through."
Mr McCann also told the BBC there had been a "shift in the investigation" and detectives could be "starting with a new slate", fuelling speculation Robert Murat, the only official suspect in the case, will be formally cleared in the coming weeks.
Pledges of support
The couple have met detectives twice this week but are understood to be frustrated by a lack of clear information.
Under Portuguese law, police are not allowed to speak publicly about the details of an investigation but a spokesman has said there were indications to contradict the view that she was abducted.
In Britain, there will be prayers and pledges of support by sports stars, including England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, jockey Frankie Dettori and Everton Football Club.In Britain, there will be prayers and pledges of support by sports stars, including England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, jockey Frankie Dettori and Everton Football Club.
Teams in the Premiership will wear T-shirts with Madeleine's image during their pre-match warm ups.Teams in the Premiership will wear T-shirts with Madeleine's image during their pre-match warm ups.
Among the international events is a mass being held in the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, France.Among the international events is a mass being held in the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, France.
On Friday, the McCanns helped launch a new section on the video-sharing website YouTube which will show footage of missing children.On Friday, the McCanns helped launch a new section on the video-sharing website YouTube which will show footage of missing children.
The Don't You Forget About Me channel will be managed by the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington DC.The Don't You Forget About Me channel will be managed by the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington DC.
The couple has come under intense media pressure as police reportedly move away from the assumption that Madeleine was abducted from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May.
'Shift in investigation'
Under Portuguese law, police are not allowed to speak publicly about the details of an investigation but a spokesman has said there were indications to contradict the view that she was abducted.
Meanwhile, suspected traces of blood from the Algarve apartment where Madeleine was last seen are being tested in Birmingham by UK scientists. The couple have met detectives twice this week but are understood to be frustrated by a lack of clear information.
Mr McCann told the BBC: "It's incredibly difficult when people are implying that your daughter is dead and that you may have been involved in it.
"I had a fairly strong belief that there was a lack of evidence, certainly initially, that there was no evidence of serious harm and I do not know of any specific evidence now that alters that."
He acknowledged there had been a "shift in the investigation".
He suggested detectives could be "starting with a new slate", fuelling speculation Robert Murat, the only official suspect in the case, would soon be formally cleared.
Madeleine's mother Kate said: "All we want is Madeleine back, and the truth to be out. Anything else we'll stay strong and we'll get through."