Madeleine McCann's parents say 'we have not lost hope' in Christmas message to supporters

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have "not lost hope" of finding their daughter, supporters have been told in a heartfelt Christmas message.

As Kate and Gerry McCann prepare for what will be their ninth Christmas without their daughter, they thanked the public for their "amazing support".

Madeleine was three when she disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia de Luz, Portugal in May 2007.

The couple added that an ongoing Metropolitan Police investigation had "made progress over the year", despite an announcement in October that it would be dramatically scaled back.

"Whilst it is never as much or as speedy as we, or the police would like, we are moving in the right direction and that’s the positive," they added in the message posted to their website and official Find Madeleine Facebook page.

"Patience and perseverance are virtues which we’ve acquired in abundance over recent years - another positive!"

They also thanked people who had helped the charity Missing People, including those who joined Mrs McCann in a 500 mile cycling challenge in June.