Pray like mad for Madeleine - Kate

Mrs McCann stood up during the 30-minute service at the Anglican parish church of St Mary and St John, in Rothley, Leicestershire, and thanked the community for their support over the last year.

Later Kate and Gerry returned to the church in which they were married for a Mass for Madeleine. The couple sat with Mrs McCann's parents, Susan and Brian Healy, in the front row at Our Lady Bishop Eton church in Liverpool. Hundreds of well-wishers were among the congregation.

The tearful mother had told the congregation in Rothley she and her husband Gerry could not have got through the year without their help. She told the congregation to "keep praying, pray like mad" for the four-year-old.

Led by the Rev Rob Gladstone, prayers were said for Madeleine and for other missing children during the special service.

Speaking afterwards on behalf of the family, Madeleine's great uncle, Brian Kennedy, said: "We would like to thank all the members of the churches here in Rothley and also those who are of no particular church for joining us today to remember the world's missing children and especially, of course, our own Madeleine.

"This is a difficult week and we have had many kind messages from residents here and from around the country which have been a great help.

Mr Kennedy's wife, Janet, said: "We wanted it to be a service not just for Madeleine but for missing children all over the world."

Speaking about Kate's message during the service, she said: "I am not sure how she mustered the strength to do so. I think it (the service) was a great comfort to them both."

Ministers from a number of churches joined in the service. The same prayer said at the six-month anniversary service for Madeleine was repeated again and a poem about courage was read.