Madeleine McCann – two years on

Today is the second anniversary of the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann from the resort of Praia da Luz in Portugal.

The anniversary was marked by prayers in her home village of Rothley, Leicestershire, where the family priest dedicated today's mass to Madeleine.

The McCann family have released a digitally enhanced age progression image of Madeleine at six years old. Their spokesman said, "This is the child that somebody who is close to Madeleine may spot, rather than the child in those other photos." In a statement the McCanns said,"It is two long years since Madeleine was taken. It is two years since we were a happy family of five. The pain and anxiety does not lessen, but our determination to find our beautiful daughter remains steadfast. We are no longer looking for a four-year-old little girl, but a six-year-old one. This is crucial."

A documentary about the disappearance will be aired this week. In it, two private detectives try to piece together witness evidence. They believe that the answer to Madeleine's disappearance lies in Praia da Luz. The McCann family hope that the documentary will jolt people's memories.

Photo credit: Find Madeleine Campaign/PA

resort = a village or town where people go on holiday
mark the anniversary = do something special on an anniversary
mass = Catholic service
spot = see by accident
lessen = become less or weaker
steadfast = strong, constant
documentary = factual TV programme
aired = broadcast
piece together = to put together small pieces
a witness = someone who has seen something
jolt someone's memory = make someone remember

Related vocabulary

to go missing = to disappear
to be abducted = when a person is taken away by someone
to be kidnapped = to be taken by a person who then demands money to release the victim

To help, please visit the Find Madeleine site.