Madeleine's father ties a ribbon

Arriving in a silver Skoda and dressed in a beige pullover, he smiled fondly as he read some of the tributes left for his four-year-old daughter.

In his first visit to his home in Rothley, Leicestershire, since Madeleine went missing, he looked pleased and emotional as he looked at the sea of yellow ribbons, flowers, teddy bears and toys left at the village's war memorial.

Accompanied only by his press officer he spoke to local residents and friends who had turned out in support.

Chris Allen, who runs a florist shop in the nearby town of Syston, where Kate McCann is a regular customer, said: "Gerry said that he was really, really moved with everything that was happening here and the support that he was getting.

"He said they were getting a lot of support in Portugal too and to keep on going. He is extremely brave and so is Kate."

He was also presented with a prayer card by eight-year-old Molly Earp.

She said: "He said thank you very much and said he was very appreciative with what has been done for Madeleine. He gave me a kiss and I started to cry. I know him from church and I know Madeleine who is a very nice girl and it's very sad."

At the end of the 15-minute visit, he hugged friend and owner of the Royal Oak pub, Valerie Armstrong.

She said: "I was very pleased to see him in the flesh and to touch him because it's what I've wanted to do since Madeleine went missing.

"He said he was so appreciative with what is going on here and he does gain strength from what is happening here."