Balloons released for missing Madeleine

Scores of yellow and white balloons will be released this morning to mark the 50th day since the disappearance of little Madeleine McCann in Portugal.

Bearing the logo Look for Madeleine, schoolchildren in Dublin will let go of 50 bright balloons in tribute to the four-year-old.

Madeleine disappeared from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz while her parents Gerry and Kate McCann dined close by.

Today’s poignant event will be led by Madeleine’s parents who will release balloons at the resort in a bid to raise awareness of their plight and the safe return of their daughter.

Organised by close friends of the McCanns – the Minogue family from Greystones, Co Wicklow – it will coincide with similar events in 50 cities worldwide including Los Angeles, Vancouver, Berlin, Helsinki, Auckland and Singapore.

Television presenter and mother Lorraine Keane will be among the famous faces giving their support at the launch at the top of Grafton Street at 10am.