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/7146476.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Difficult' Christmas for McCanns 'Difficult' Christmas for McCanns
(about 12 hours later)
The parents of Madeleine McCann have thanked well-wishers for their messages of support as they prepare for Christmas without their daughter.The parents of Madeleine McCann have thanked well-wishers for their messages of support as they prepare for Christmas without their daughter.
In a statement, Kate and Gerry McCann said the festive period would be an "incredibly difficult" time if Madeleine was not found.In a statement, Kate and Gerry McCann said the festive period would be an "incredibly difficult" time if Madeleine was not found.
They said they would be spending a quiet, private Christmas in the UK.They said they would be spending a quiet, private Christmas in the UK.
Madeleine, now four, went missing from a holiday apartment in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on 3 May.Madeleine, now four, went missing from a holiday apartment in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on 3 May.
Mr and Mrs McCann, both 39, were declared official suspects in the case in September, but both deny any involvement.
Midnight mass
The couple's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said the family had been inundated with media inquiries about plans for their first Christmas without their eldest daughter.The couple's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said the family had been inundated with media inquiries about plans for their first Christmas without their eldest daughter.
The McCanns are expected to spend some time at their family home in Rothley, Leicestershire, and attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve at which prayers for Madeleine will be said.The McCanns are expected to spend some time at their family home in Rothley, Leicestershire, and attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve at which prayers for Madeleine will be said.
But they would not comment on any further plans.But they would not comment on any further plans.
Their statement read: "We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the last seven months and ask you to stay with us as the search for our daughter continues."Their statement read: "We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the last seven months and ask you to stay with us as the search for our daughter continues."
The couple also repeated their plea for anyone with information about their daughter's disappearance to come forward.The couple also repeated their plea for anyone with information about their daughter's disappearance to come forward.