Clarence Mitchell said: "We did receive an offer and chose on this occasion not to respond. We are grateful for any assistance they bring to bear in the hunt for finding Madeleine."

So far the McCanns have received 1,500 offers from psychics hoping to find Madeleine.

Mr Mitchell said: "We thank them for their concern and any demonstrably checkable fact is passed on to the police or the private detective agency."

However, the agency employed by the McCanns, Metodo 3, may not have its contract renewed next month following a series of outspoken comments and unfulfilled promises by its boss Francisco Marco.

Costing £50,000 a month, they are nearing the end of their six month contract.

The Find Madeleine Fund, which is paying them from public donations but which is beginning to run short of money, will announce next month whether the contract is being renewed.


Much will rest on the thoughts of Brian Kennedy, the double glazing magnate who is funding the McCann's attempts to clear their name, who holds the contract with Metodo 3.

He is understood to have been annoyed by comments prior to Christmas from Mr Marco that they knew who had kidnapped Madeleine and even promised to have her home for Christmas.

A source close to the McCanns said: "Operationally the Fund is happy that Metodo 3 is searching for Madeleine but there are people who are none too impressed by Francisco shooting his mouth off."

At a meeting on Thursday, the Fund agreed to raise money for the fund, which currently sits at £600,000 but which faces running dry by late summer unless it receives a cash injection, by exploiting more media opportunities.

It has drafted in Jon Corner, a film producer and friend of the McCann's, to help Mr Mitchell look at offers they have received, such as making a docudrama or writing a book.