05/06/2007

Madeleine's parents in 'Crimewatch' appeal

The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann are to make an appeal on BBC One's 'Crimewatch' programme tonight.

In the programme, which will be broadcast at 9pm, Kate McCann will show a pair of pyjamas identical to those worn by the four-year-old when she disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal on May 3.

The pyjamas - a light-pink top with capped sleeves and a picture of cartoon character Eeyore curled up with the words 'Sleepy Eeyore' on it and a pair of white cotton bottoms, covered in small flowers and with another Eeyore motif on the right leg - belong to Madeleine's two-year-old sister Amelie.

Her husband Gerry also gives a detailed description of a man who was seen carrying what was thought to be a child on the night that Madeleine disappeared.

The suspect is described as being approximately 35 years old, around 5ft 8ins or 5ft 9ins tall, with dark hair, which was parted at the side and slightly longer at the back. He was wearing a dark jacket slightly longer than a suit, beige trousers and dark shoes.

Mr McCann told 'Crimewatch': "Potentially this could have been someone who could have been picking up a child from a crèche or coming back from dinner.

"But we are certainly suspicious of the timing and that person needs to be eliminated from the investigation.

"The description has been out for 10 days and as far as we know, no-one of that description has come forward so that definitely gives it more weight."

Mrs McCann also appealed for witnesses to come forward and urged any holidaymakers who thought they had any photographs that might hold information to upload them onto the Ceops website at www.madeleine.ceopupload.com.

She said: "Anyone who was in the area around that time, even a few weeks before, who hasn't come forward, please do.

"If by any chance somebody knows where Madeleine is, we would obviously urge them to come forward."

The McCanns are due to fly to Germany later today to continue their visit to a number of European countries to help raise awareness of their search for their daughter.

They are due to meet political figures in Germany, including Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries, before travelling to the Netherlands.

The couple are also expected to travel to Morocco, where there has been a reported sighting of Madeleine.

(KMcA/SP)

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