Neighbours say Murat friendly and helpful

NEIGHBOURS of a man questioned by Portuguese police looking for Madeleine McCann have described him as “friendly and helpful”.

Two police officers continued to stand guard outside Robert Murat’s former home in Norfolk today but there was no activity inside.

Mr Murat’s Portuguese villa, which has been examined by forensic experts and sniffer dogs, is close to where four-year-old Madeleine was abducted.

Yesterday, neighbours of Mr Murat in the village of Hockering, near Norwich, where he lived with his ex-wife and young child, said he was popular among residents.

Fred French, 85, said: “He is a friendly chap. I used to see him in his garden, sitting outside with his ex-wife.”

Gerry Thompson, 56, said: “He is a friendly person. This whole thing is a bolt out of the blue.”

Geoffrey Livock, 71, said: “Like we were saying in the pub, he would rather help than hinder anyone.”

Neighbours said Mr Murat had worked as a car salesman in Norwich and as a factory worker during his time in Norfolk.

Occupants of his former semi-detached home were taken away to an unknown location by police last night.