Kate and Gerry McCann have said they have had enough of "fluffy worthless words", calling again for a full case review over their daughter Madeleine's disappearance.

Exactly three-and-a-half years since Madeleine went missing, the couple said they want "action" and for "somebody to do something".

They are launching a petition to lobby the UK and Portuguese governments for a joint or independent review of the case.

"Essentially for the last three-and-a-half years the authorities have not been doing anything proactive to help Madeleine," Mr McCann said.

"That is despite our best efforts to encourage them to do so. I don't think it's right that the onus should fall on us, the authorities really should be doing more."

His wife said: "I don't want to be appeased and that's what I feel we're getting at the moment. We need action, I don't need fluffy worthless words. We need somebody to do something."

The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, have met with former home secretaries Alan Johnson and Jacqui Smith, as well as current Home Secretary Theresa May, to discuss the issue and to ask for a review of the case.

Madeleine was three when she went missing from her family's holiday flat in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3 2007 as her parents dined with friends nearby.

With thanks to JJP for transcript

Presenter Three and a half years on, Kate and Gerry McCann refuse to give up hope of finding Madeleine alive but that’s exactly what they think the authorities in Portugal and in Britain have done.

Kate McCann I do, if I’m honest I do.  And I expected more, and whether my expectations were higher than they should have been.  I don’t believe so because we are British citizens and even opening Madeleine’s passport on the front page it says that we will provide you with assistance and protection and I feel she could have a lot more.

Presenter The McCanns believe its two and a quarter years since either the Portuguese or British police did anything proactive to search for Madeleine.  They’re sure there’s information to be found and pieced together and are asking for a full case review.

Gerry McCann I want to make it absolutely clear we don’t want to have a review to look over mistakes and saying apportion blame.  Its nothing to do with that. Its about identifying areas for further investigation.

Presenter The public is being asked to sign an online petition to lobby the two governments.  Kate and Gerry McCann say they have met three Home Secretaries but need more than worthless words now

Kate McCann Thoughts and words are not good enough, particularly when they are in a position that they can actually do something about it.

Gerry McCann For the authorities now, if Madeleine was found, it would almost be by chance, and it shouldn’t be right that this crime is solved by another child being abducted.

Presenter The Find Madeleine Fund which pays for investigators and an internet campaign is due to run out of money next spring.  The McCanns say there are bad days when it is Madeleine’s twin brother and sister who are now five who keep them going.

Kate McCann They’re unbelievable. They really are amazing   Erm, and they still talk about when Madeleine comes home, you know.  How will they share the bedrooms?  Will the three of them be together, well you know?  What colour bedroom will we have, you know?  They keep us going and this would be so much harder, or unbearable in fact, if it wasn’t for Sean and Amelie