Madeleine was three when she went missing from a holiday flat in Portugal

The family of missing girl Madeleine McCann have criticised leaflets posted in their home town.

Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, was three when she went missing from a holiday flat in Portugal on 3 May 2007.

The fliers are from a group which is calling for the case to be reopened - but the move has prompted an angry response from some residents.

The McCanns said the organisation was not connected to them and its actions could hamper their search.

Resident Patricia Ball explained the leaflet had stirred up memories still fresh in the minds of the community.

"It sent a shiver down my spine," she said. "I did not like it at all, it had a nasty feel about it.

Residents in Rothley have often showed their support for the family

"There is still a candle on the green, so every time you go into the centre of

 Rothley, you pass the candle and it always reminds you of Madeleine."

The group said it had not delivered a leaflet to the McCanns' house as they had been given a copy of a similar publication previously.

The McCanns released a statement saying they did want to dignify the organisation by giving any response - but they believed it did not have Madeleine's best interests at heart.

They added they felt that, if anything, it was hampering efforts to achieve justice on Madeleine's behalf.