SCOTLAND Yard’s inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann from a holiday flat in Portgual in 2007 will continue until at least April after Home Office approval of new funding.

Financing for the four-strong team of officers working on Operation Grange was due to end in October.

But a fresh request, believed to be for a sum of around £100,000, was submitted to the Home Office as the deadline approached and has now been signed off.

A Whitehall source had indicated funding would be approved if “compelling evidence that justifies the use of additional taxpayers’ money” was provided by the team.

A spokesman for the Home Office said on Friday: “We have provided the Metropolitan Police with the funding required for Operation Grange to continue until at least the end of this financial year.

“The resources required will be reviewed again at this point.”  

So far the inquiry into Madeleine’s disappearance from the apartment in Praia de Luz has cost £12million. At its height more than 30 officers were on the case.

Last month the "German Madeline McCann" was found 15 years after the girl's disappearance.