Reported Madeleine sighting in Portugal

A new sighting of Madeleine McCann is being investigated in the hunt for the missing four-year-old.

A "witness" claims to have spotted Madeleine in central Portugal two days after she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3.

Gerry and Kate McCann have been informed of a reported sighting of their daughter in a car with a woman.

Meanwhile Francisco Marco, head of the Spanish private detective agency hired by the McCanns, has said he is certain the little girl is alive.

The McCanns' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: "He's very confident. He's 100 per cent certain that she's alive and believes that they are 'very, very close' to finding the kidnapper.

"Naturally we are extremely encouraged by any indication by our investigators that things are going well. But there have been a number of leads that have come to nothing and Kate and Gerry remain cautious."

The McCanns, both still official suspects in her disappearance, hired agency Metodo3 in September to boost efforts to find their daughter.

Mr Marco, head of a 40-strong-team said: "We have a six-month agreement with the McCanns.

"We have already spent a month and a half working. I will find her before that period is up."

And he is certain Mr and Mrs McCann had nothing to do with Madeleine's disappearance.

"Our staff interviewed the McCanns for 10 hours - enough time for us to tell if they were trying to fool us.

"My specialists assure me they are not hiding anything. I would not risk the prestige this agency has gained over 23 years without being convinced there is a case," he said.

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