McCanns pray for Madeleine

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The couple held hands as they walked the short distance from their home to The Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart in Rothley for mass, more than a week after they were named formal suspects or "arguidos" by the Portuguese police investigating their four-year-old daughter's disappearance.

In a statement released after the hour-long service, Mr McCann thanked friends for their support and said attending mass had been a comfort to them both.

He said: "It was comforting to be amongst friends and family praying for Madeleine today. We thank them for their continued support."

Worshippers, who arrived at the church to a huge pack of British and foreign journalists, said special prayers, including a bidding and a rosary prayer, for Madeleine during the service.

The McCann's church visit comes a day after they unveiled a £80,000 advertising campaign to re-focus attention on the hunt for Madeleine, who disappeared in May.

The campaign will focus on Spain, Portugal and other parts of Europe. It will involve newspaper, television and billboard adverts.

A statement issued through a family spokeswoman, Gerry's brother John McCann, who is also a fund director, said: "The main objective of the Madeleine fund is to leave no stone unturned in the search for Madeleine."

A spokeswoman for Sir Richard Branson confirmed the entrepreneur would be donating £100,000 to the McCanns' legal costs.

Sir Richard has been in touch with several other wealthy people to encourage them to contribute as well, she added, without specifying who they were. The spokeswoman said: "He wants to give them a chance to have a fair hearing."