Madeleine Parents Ask for Continued Prayers for Safe Return

Appeals have continued to be made for Madeleine McCann, as her mother Kate McCann continued her visits to pray at a church service in the Algarve village of Praia da Luz on Sunday.

|PIC1|Madeleine, who disappeared from her parents' holiday apartment in Portugal on 3 May, should have celebrated her 4th birthday yesterday 12 May, but instead remains the centre of a huge police investigation in the Algarve.

Kate McCann was joined at the Sunday service by the English priest who married Kate and Gerry McCann and later baptised Madeleine.

Father Paul Seddon, of the Our Lady of Compassion church in Formby, near Liverpool, flew out to support the couple in their time of despair in Portugal.

From Liverpool, Madeleine's grandmother has also appealed for those holding her, to "take her somewhere safe" so she can come home safely.

Susan Healy asked that people look out for her granddaughter's distinctive "black flash" in her eye, where her pupil runs into her iris, which could prove key in someone stopping the youngster. She added that her entire family was "hoping and praying that the people who have Madeleine will take her somewhere safe and we can find her and bring her home".

The heart-wrenching story of Madeleine's disappearance has touched the hearts of the nation and beyond. Rewards totalling £2.5 million have now been put up on offer for anyone who can help with information leading to the safe return of Madeleine.

Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, England footballer Wayne Rooney and Harry Potter author JK Rowling are among those who have contributed to the reward.

At a special mass on Saturday 12 May, parents Kate and Gerry McCann called for people to continue the search, and to keep praying for their daughter.

They also thanked everyone for the huge efforts and resources being expended in conducting the search for their missing daughter.

In recent days Portuguese police have shifted their local search to an international child abduction inquiry, following suspicions Madeleine may have been taken out of the country.

The international Crime stoppers number is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine are able to call anonymously.