A Portuguese man has come forward to report a possible sighting of Madeleine McCann the day after she disappeared.

Carlos Moreira, 65, saw a young blonde girl wearing pyjamas like those of the missing Rothley child in the back of a van on May 4, 2007.

He only contacted the private investigation team employed by Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, last week.

It is understood that he did not think the information was relevant until learning in a recent TV programme that Portuguese police did not mount roadblocks following the girl's disappearance.

Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday flat, in Praia da Luz, on the night of May 3, 2007, as her parents dined with friends nearby.

At about 8am the next day, Mr Moreira saw a young girl lying at an angle in the back of a white van at a roadside snack bar near the Portuguese capital Lisbon, 170 miles to the north.

He said she was with a man and a woman who looked like gypsies.

It is understood Mr Moreira was not certain he saw Madeleine, but recalled that the girl was wearing pink and yellow pyjamas similar to the ones the missing child had on when she vanished.

He told The Sun: "When the van door was opened, she did not wake up, as if she was drugged. This girl was blonde and looked about four.''

The McCann family spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: "I can confirm that Mr Moreira has been spoken to by the private investigators searching for Madeleine.

"I cannot go into any further detail for operational reasons.

"He has done absolutely the right thing in coming forward with his information despite it being so long after the event.''