The parents of Madeleine McCann will launch a new 24-hour phoneline manned by private detectives today, in a fresh bid to find their daughter.

The parents of Madeleine McCann will launch a new 24-hour phoneline manned by private detectives today, in a fresh bid to find their daughter.

Portuguese police have given Gerry and Kate McCann their full backing in setting up the confidential number, said the couple's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell.

In a "direct, heartfelt" appeal on Spanish television, the McCanns will urge people in Portugal, Spain and north Africa to phone + 34 902 300213 if they have any information, he said.

They are concentrating on that region because it is thought to be the area where the girl is "most likely" to be, said Mr Mitchell.

In what will be their first televised interview since being made official suspects in their daughter's disappearance, the couple will say once again that they believe Madeleine, missing since May 3, is still alive.

And they will tell viewers of the Antena 3 network that they welcome the work carried out by the new head of the police investigation, Paulo Rebelo.

Although the couple have said that they believe Madeleine is still alive, Mrs McCann's parents Susan and Brian Healy have admitted the family's hopes of finding her are fading.

Mrs Healy recalled the night her daughter had called to break the news.

"I was able to say to her, We'll be able to get her back'. I'm finding it harder to say that," she said.