Mother's tears for missing daughter

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Kate McCann and husband Gerry were joined by family members from the UK at a Portuguese mass in the resort of Praia da Luz three days after the youngster disappeared.

Their visit to the church fell on Mother's Day which is marked in Portugal with flowers which are laid at the feet of the Virgin Mary during the service.

In an emotional mass, Madeleine's mother was quietly presented with a bunch of five roses by 14-year-old Altar girl Emily Seromenho, whose own mother is English.

As part of the custom local children arrived at church with flowers, which they presented to their own mothers during the service.

At the end of the service, Mrs McCann then lined up with Portuguese mothers and walked to the Altar laying her flowers at the foot of the Virgin Mary.

Pausing momentarily and gazing up at the statue Mrs McCann rejoined her family and prayed silently for Madeleine's safe return.

At least 150 worshippers packed the small 16th Century Church for Sunday mass. During the service priest, Father Jose Manuel Pacheco, told the family that the entire community was with them.

As he began the service, which was conducted in Portuguese, he spoke briefly in English saying: "We are here like all Sundays and today we have a very big intention, we want to be with this family, the family of Madeleine. "

Mrs McCann carried a small pink, stuffed kitten which she has carried every time she has been since in public since Madeleine's disappearance. As the service began she knelt silently holding the soft toy, kissing its head repeatedly.