THE parents of Madeleine McCann last night claimed a police review of her case was “a huge step” in the bid to trace her. 

A team of detectives in Portugal has been appointed to re-examine the original investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance after she vanished almost five years ago.  

It follows a review by Scotland Yard officers which began last May.

Dad Gerry said: “We’re ten months into the Met’s review process and it’s important for us. It’s taken pressure off us knowing the police are actually reviewing everything. It’s a huge step.” 

Madeleine was almost four when she went missing from her family’s holiday flat in Praia da Luz in the Algarve as her parents dined with friends nearby