Madeleine McCann 10th anniversary ‘horrible marker of stolen time’ – mum Kate

Madeleine McCann’s mother has described the upcoming 10th anniversary of her daughter’s disappearance as a “horrible marker of time, stolen time”.

Madeleine disappeared on May 3, 2007 during a family holiday in Praia da Luz in Portugal.

The three-year-old has not been seen since she vanished from the apartment they were staying in, but her parents have never given up hope of finding her.

In a post on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, Kate McCann wrote: "We are bracing ourselves for the next couple of weeks.

"It’s likely to be stressful and painful and more so given the rehashing of old ‘stories’, misinformation, half-truths and downright lies which will be doing the rounds in the newspapers, social media and ‘special edition’ TV programmes."

She said "when Madeleine first disappeared I couldn’t even begin to consider anything in terms of years".

"And now here we are… Madeleine, our Madeleine – ten years," she said.

"Most days are similar to the rest – another day. May 3rd 2017 – another day. But ten years – a horrible marker of time, stolen time."

She went on: "I truly hope that those reporting on the ‘story’ over the next couple of weeks will have a conscience.

"Even if little consideration for Gerry and me is shown, they will at least bear in mind the effect such unfounded and unwarranted negativity could have on our other children – and of course Madeleine."

The post is signed by both parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, insisting "there will always be hope".

Madeleine’s disappearance sparked one of the most high-profile police investigations of recent times.

Scotland Yard has been assisting with the inquiry since 2011.

Last month the Home Office confirmed it had granted officers £85,000 to carry on with the probe for a further six months.

More than £11m has been spent on the UK investigation.

(c) Sky News 2017: Madeleine McCann 10th anniversary ‘horrible marker of stolen time’ – mum Kate