Gerry McCann: 'Delighted'

Three favourite pictures of Madeleine McCann have been returned to her fathe

Treasured photos of Madeleine McCann stolen from her father have been returned.

Gerry McCann, 39, was distraught when a thief took his wallet from his back pocket during a brief trip to London a fortnight ago.

As well as cash and cards, it contained his three favourite pictures of four-year-old Madeleine. They have never been seen in public and there are no copies.

But after Mr McCann and his wife Kate made an emotional appeal for its return, the wallet and photos were sent anonymously to their home in Rothley, Leicestershire.

Yesterday a friend returned them to a "delighted" Mr McCann in Portugal at the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz, where Madeleine was snatched from her bed on May 3.

Brian Kennedy, Madeleine's great uncle, said: "Either someone with a conscience has realised who they stole it from, or it was discarded by the thief and sent to us by someone who found it.

"It's a bit of good news, which we haven't had for some time."

Today the McCanns moved out of the Portuguese holiday resort from where their daughter was abducted - 60 days after she disappeared.

The family have set up home in a private property nearby.

They stayed at the Mark Warner Ocean Club resort in the Algarve town of Praia da Luz for nearly two months, but the start of high season meant they had to find somewhere else to live.

The family had based themselves in one apartment and used a second as an office, from which to run the campaign to find their four-year-old daughter.

A spokeswoman for the family said they were taking thousands of letters and cards of support with them to the new house.

An endless stream of messages have been sent to the couple as they wait for any breakthrough in the hunt for their daughter.

The McCanns now meet the Portuguese Policia Judiciaria (PJ) on a regular basis, but despite an extensive investigation there have been no significant developments in the case.

Leaving the holiday complex today is the first sign that life is starting to move on.

"Obviously, like any family, packing up and moving is a very difficult time," their spokeswoman said.

"The amazing thing has been moving all the letters of support, there have just been thousands of them.

"Every single one has been boxed up and moved with them. It has been so uplifting for Kate and Gerry to know that so many people have prayed for them, are supporting them and hoping Madeleine comes home safely."

Mr McCann's pickpocketed wallet was initially sent to the family's former address, which was listed in the wallet, before being forwarded to their new home. There was no note inside and £100 in cash was missing.

However documents contained in the wallet, including Mr McCann's credit cards and driving licence, and 30 euros were returned.

Mr McCann was pickpocketed at a cash machine at Waterloo station in Central London on June 20. He had arrived in the capital on a two-day visit to interview candidates to be Madeleine campaign manager.

Meanwhile, a Portuguese woman accused of trying to extort the £2.5 million reward money for Madeleine by offering information about her whereabouts was freed from court in Spain last night.

Aurora Vaz, 54, and her millionaire Italian boyfriend Danilo Chemello, 61, were arrested at their luxury villa in Sotogrande, near Gibraltar, last week.

Chemello was remanded in custody following the closed hearing at San Roque. A decision on any charges will be taken later.