A JUDGE will decide what role the parents of Madeleine McCann will have in the phone hacking inquiry.

Liverpool-born Kate and husband Gerry have applied to be a part of the judicial inquiry into media ethics and phone hacking.

Lord Justice Leveson, who will head the inquiry due to start in London later this year, heard applications yesterday from people and organisations who want to take part.

The McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell confirmed the couple would be prepared to give evidence on their experiences.

It is understood that there is currently no evidence to suggest their phones were hacked.

Mr Mitchell said: ?Kate and Gerry themselves have gone forward to be considered for core participant status within the Leveson inquiry, with a view to them giving evidence regarding their treatment at the hands of certain sections of the press over the past four years.

?They will not be saying anything further, ahead of giving any evidence.?

Madeleine was nearly four 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.

Former Formula 1 boss Max Mosley, Chris Jefferies, the former landlord of alleged murder victim Jo Yeates former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott also made applications yesterday.

Lawyers representing actress Sienna Miller, actors Jude Law and Hugh Grant, ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne and comedian Steve Coogan also addressed the judge at the hearing in London.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced the inquiry in July, following revelations about phone hacking by the News of the World newspaper.