Hundreds respond to Madeleine TV appeal

Hundreds of people have come forward with new leads in the hunt for Madeleine McCann after a televised appeal by her parents Kate and Gerry, it was reported today.

The pair filmed the plea at their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, England, and it included previously unseen footage of an excited Madeleine opening her gifts last Christmas.

The broadcast, which was shown around the world, prompted 347 calls offering new information to a special hotline. The leads will now be investigated by the family’s private detective agency Metodo 3.

The message came as Mr and Mrs McCann, both 39, endured their first Christmas without their four-year-old daughter, who went missing from the family’s holiday apartment in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on May 3.

Writing in his internet diary, Mr McCann said Madeleine “should not be spending Christmas away from her loving family”.

He wrote: “The person who took Madeleine has it in their power to end our suffering and will be able to appease their conscience that they have done the right thing- especially at this time of year.

“Kate and I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time at this busy time of year to write to us and let us know Madeleine and our family are still in their thoughts and prayers.

“We still have at least one hundred cards to open! As always, every single one will be opened and read and the support expressed helps renew our determination to find Madeleine.”

Yesterday a family friend said the McCann’s motto had changed from not leaving any stone unturned to “never, never give up hope”.

:: The number to contact for anyone who sees or has any information on Madeleine is 0034 902 300 213.