‘The absence still aches’ — Kate and Gerry McCann issue anniversary message

Up to a further £192,000 has been granted by the UK Home Office for the Scotland Yard investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance

Madeleine, from Rothley in Leicestershire, vanished on May 3 2007 while on holiday with her parents in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Picture: Everton FC/PA Wire

The parents of Madeleine McCann have released a statement on the 17th anniversary of her disappearance, saying “the absence still aches”.

In a message issued on the official Find Madeleine website, Kate and Gerry McCann said: “It’s 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us.