Police in the UK have agreed to hand Kate and Gerry McCann information from the investigation into their daughter's disappearance.

The decision prompted the McCanns to withdraw a High Court action to force Leicestershire Police to give them access to around 80 documents relating to the inquiry.

The McCanns, both 40, were not in court and Mrs Justice Hogg said she had not asked for their attendance because "they have suffered enough and I wished to ease their burden".

The judge also urged anyone with information about the missing girl to come forward.

"There is, of course, one person who knows what has happened to Madeleine and where she may be found.

"I ponder about that person - whether that person has a heart and might understand what it must be like for Madeleine to have been taken and secreted from her parents and siblings and those she loved and felt secure with."

McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "These are 80 potential new leads. We have information we can work on."

He said the couple were also looking forward to much greater disclosure of information once their status as "arguidos" or formal suspects was, as expected, lifted by the Portuguese authorities.

"They will be strengthened and touched by what Mrs Justice Hogg said," said Mr Mitchell.

"It was immensely kind. In the context of the courtroom, it was a statement she did not have to make. It was extremely supportive and very generous and kind.

"I know Kate and Gerry will be incredibly touched."

Madeleine was three years old when she vanished from the family's holiday apartment in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on May 3 last year.

Leicestershire Police have been involved in the search for Madeleine since shortly after she disappeared.

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