Hundreds of residents braved the cold winds at Formby Football Club last week, to mark the 1,000th day of the search for missing Madeleine McCann.

With the aim of releasing 250 lanterns into the sky, the event was one of four that took place simultaneously across the country. Other locations included London, Scotland and Madeleine's hometown of Rothley in Leicestershire. 

Schoolchildren, churches, and Formby FC members attended the event, alongside residents and friends and local relatives of the McCanns.

There was also a singing performance and a prayer reading at the ceremony.

A Formby FC spokesperson told The Champion: “It went really well and everyone was there for the right reasons. Formby FC is at the centre of the community and it was really fitting to be holding the event here.”

Local councillor Barry Griffiths, who was also present at the event, added: “People were very respectful and we felt priviledged to be having the event here.

"Residents did us proud and stood out in the bitterly cold weather."

Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Liverpool-born Kate McCann, were not present at the event as they were hosting a fundraising evening in London to help keep their campaign in the public eye.

By Natasha Young