Madeleine McCann's parents have kept their daughter's bedroom exactly as it was before she disappeared.

A pal revealed how Kate and Gerry take comfort from the pretty pink room - and have kept it the same for the day she returns.

Kate still sits quietly there every night and prays. And they have vowed never to move from the house in Rothley, Leics, until they know what happened to Maddie.

Her bed sheets and patterned duvet remaining unchanged and her clothes are still hanging in the wardrobe and neatly folded in a chest of drawers. Kate has refused to hand down the clothes to Maddie's three-year-old sister Amelie who bears a striking resemblance to her.

 

The friend said: "Everything has been left as it was and waiting for Madeleine to return."

 

The only untouched items are the toys which Maddie had played with before going on holiday in April last year. They are now in use again.

 

Amelie and her twin Sean have been encouraged to play with them. And Amelie has abandoned her own Snuggles cat toy and taken to carrying around Cuddle Cat, her sister's favourite soft toy.

 

Gerry's mum Eileen McCann said: "At one time the door to Madeleine's room remained closed. But now the twins go in and play. Kate and Gerry don't want to shut them out.

 

"The whole family feels closer to Madeleine by being in her bedroom."

 

The pal added: "Nowadays Kate leaves the door open and encourages the twins to run in and out and play with their big sister's toys.

 

"Kate, in particular, feels closer to Madeleine at home. She will never contemplate moving until she knows what has happened to her daughter.

 

"At one time she wanted to stay in Portugal because it was the last place she was with Madeleine. But that has been jaundiced by the police investigation."