Madeleine: McCanns fear the worst

But they cling to the hope that their next phone call will tell them she has been found alive, their spokesman revealed.

Clarence Mitchell spoke of Gerry and Kate McCann's "turmoil" at losing their four-year-old daughter, which he said had been made many times worse by their being made official suspects in her disappearance.

Speaking at a media conference in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire, he said: "They are a family facing possible bereavement. They hope desperately that the next phone call is 'We have found her and she's OK'. I am not naive but that is still a possibility.

"It's a turmoil at times. It's every parent's worst nightmare. And then to have that extra pressure heaped upon them. It's the worst situation times two, times 10."

The comments come after it emerged that two people reported separate, independent sightings of the little girl in the same part of Marrakech, Morocco, six days after her apparent abduction on May 3.

On Sunday, Mr Mitchell revealed that the family had been told of both sightings when reported. Only one was disclosed to the media at the time.

On Monday he said: "They are always very pleased to hear of any situation no matter how long after (she disappeared). Any sighting anywhere is of value."

Former BBC reporter Mr Mitchell refused to confirm reports that the McCanns have hired private security firm Control Risks Group (CRG) to investigate their daughter's disappearance.

"All I can say is that Gerry and Kate have always made it clear that they will leave no stone unturned in the search for Madeleine," he said. "I cannot comment further."