McCanns face tenth Christmas without daughter

KATE and Gerry McCann have said their tenth Christmas without missing daughter Madeleine will be “tinged with pain and longing”.

In an online message, the couple said they hoped support from others would keep them “strong and afloat during the difficult months to come”.

May will mark a decade since the disappearance of Madeleine, then aged three, from the family’s holiday flat in Praia da Luz in Portugal.

Her parents, of Rothley, Leicestershire, have vowed to “never give up” hope of finding their daughter.

In a statement posted to their website and the appeal’s Facebook page, the couple said: “This Christmas marks our 10th without Madeleine. There are no words really.

“Suffice to say, we will try and make it as happy a family occasion as possible despite being inevitably tinged with pain and longing.

“The year ahead too is one which we never could have believed or contemplated we would have to face.”

The couple added: “Thank you so much to everyone who hasn’t forgotten about Madeleine, for all of your help and continued prayers.

“The support we continue to have from so many people, friends and strangers will, we’re sure, keep us strong and afloat during the difficult months to come.

“Somebody knows. We just hope they find the courage and compassion to let us know too.”

Earlier this month there were reports that detectives were following an “important” new lead in the case.

Reports quoted a source as saying that the new line of inquiry “could provide an explanation on whether Madeleine was abducted and transported away”.