A British haulage firm will display giant posters of Madeleine McCann on its trucks as they cross Europe.

Expat Express's first truck with the poster, which appeals for information in two languages, leaves for Spain on Thursday from its Bicester depot.

Dan Coughlan, owner of the five vehicle family firm, is based in Spain just two hours from where Madeleine was taken.

He said: "We've got four kids and two grandchildren. As one parent to another it was something we had to do."

The company spent £500 on printing the posters.

Mr Coughlan said that the idea came from the US: "It's not something I've invented. I've seen it work before. Given the availability of the posters, we can help extend the search."

Four-year-old Madeleine was snatched from the family's apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal on 3 May while her parents were at a nearby restaurant.