McCann twins plea: 'Dear Santa, please bring our sister Madeleine home for Christmas'

Kate and Gerry McCann fought to hold back the tears when their twins, Sean and Amelie asked: "Will Santa bring her home for Christmas?"

The devastated couple also spoke of their anguish as they face the first Christmas without Madeleine.

They said: "Celebrating is the last thing we feel like doing, but we want Christmas to be as normal for Sean and Amelie as possible.

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"They both seem to understand that they will be getting presents from Santa, but have also asked if Santa will be bringing Madeleine home, which about broke our hearts.

"Madeleine's return would obviously be the ultimate present for all of us and would bring tremendous joy to people all around the world."

Yesterday Gerry's mother said the family were dreading Christmas without their daughter, whom they have bought presents for in the hope she will be there on Christmas Day to unwrap them.

Eileen McCann said: "They're devastated right now. Christmas is coming up and there's still no Madeleine. It's very hard for them."

The 67-year-old from Glasgow, who spent last week visiting the family in Rothley, Leicestershire, added: "They have two other children who want Christmas so they'll do their best for them. But they don't feel much like celebrating."

Kate's mother Sue Healy, of Liverpool, said: "We don't know what plans we've got for Christmas. Nobody knows who's going where, whether we are staying at home or what we are doing.

"We just don't know that sort of thing. I don't think it will be worked out until the very last minute.

"We just want Kate to do what she wants to do. She certainly doesn't know at the moment. I think it's going to be very difficult wherever we are."

Kate's uncle Brian Kennedy, 68, a retired headteacher, who lives in Rothley, revealed yesterday that the family has received hundreds of Christmas cards from well-wishers.

Last year Madeleine beamed with excitement on her favourite day of the year as she played with her little brother and sister.

Madeleine's grandfather Brian Healy, 67, said: "Madeleine loves this time of year and on the big day her face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"I will never forget how happy the whole family was last year as we watched the three children play so blissfully together. Now it just seems so far away and we had no idea how much things would change."

Brian went on: "It was one of our happiest Christmases ever. That's why we are determined to buy her presents just like we have always done.

"Madeleine loves Harry Potter and Dr Who so we will buy her something that we know she will love."

Kate and Gerry have also made a fresh plea to anyone with information about their daughter's disappearance to come forward.