McCanns not told of breakthrough

Kate and Gerry McCann only heard about the apparent development after a newspaper report that tests at a British laboratory had produced "significant new information".

Experts at the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in Birmingham have spent the past month analysing samples taken from the McCanns' holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.

The evidence recovered from the flat includes blood flecks found by British sniffer dogs on the wall in Madeleine's bedroom, where she vanished on May 3.

The London Evening Standard reported that the FSS tests had produced findings which were "likely to trigger action" - possibly including arrests - within days.

Portuguese Police would not officially confirm this, but a source said information from the laboratory had been "regularly fed back" to detectives.

A family friend said Portuguese police did not tell the McCanns that tests had been returned before the Evening Standard hit news stands.

It is understood that the news was "unexpected" for the couple, although they have been awaiting the test results for a long time.

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, spokesman for Portugal's Policia Judiciaria (PJ), who are leading the investigation, would not confirm the Evening Standard report.

Mr Sousa added that all lines of inquiry were still being pursued, but the theory that Madeleine is dead is now being given "special attention".