The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann have visited Portugal's most holy site to pray for their daughter's safe return.

Gerry and Kate McCann have been forced to endure a devastating three weeks since their daughter was snatched from their holiday apartment on 3 May. However, they have explained how their faith in God has kept them going.

They paid a visit to the famous Portuguese Marian shrine of Fatima, in the hope that an answer to their prayers will soon be coming.

The trip is expected to be the first of several by the McCanns to raise awareness of Madeleine's abduction, who earlier this week said they would "travel wherever necessary" to find their missing four-year-old.

It is the first time that Mrs McCann has left Praia da Luz in the Algarve since Madeleine was abducted, excluding trips to the police station in neighbouring Portimao.

Reports have described Mrs McCann as long being a devout Christian, and she has found great strength in her faith over the past three weeks, however, Mr McCann is said to have renewed his faith during the tragedy.

Earlier this month, Fatima became a place of great solidarity for the Portuguese nation, as 300,000 pilgrims united at the holy shrine, many praying for Madeleine on her fourth birthday weekend.