Madeleine 'home by Christmas'

Francisco Marco, the director general of Metodo 3, indicated that they were closing in on the four-year-old's abductor and preparing to hand over their "evidence" to police.

Mr Marco also told the Spanish newspaper Metro that the girl, who was snatched from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve in May, might never have left Portugal.

He said: "We have proof of her movements after her kidnap and we know she was alive the day after her disappearance. We are not certain she left Portugal.

"I talk of certainties because we know which group may have her or could have kidnapped her to then sell her on to others." The detective added: "We know who kidnapped her.

"We believe she is in an area not very far from the Iberian peninsula and north Africa. And we have a fairly certain idea who she is with.

"I cannot say who she is with because we are putting together conclusive proof we can present to the authorities so they can proceed with their arrests." He added: "God willing, I hope that she will be back with her parents before Christmas."

Mr Marco admitted he had no proof Madeleine was not dead but said he had to believe "100%" that she was because he only knew how to look for people who were still alive.

The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said that the family was "pleased" the agency was so confident about ultimately finding Madeleine.

He said: "Metodo Three, the private detective agency we are employing to help find Madeleine, retains our full confidence."