Madeleine's parents "remain positive"

By Peter Griffiths

LONDON (Reuters) - The parents of missing Madeleine McCann say they are trying to stay positive as they enter the seventh day since their three-year-old daughter disappeared from a resort in southern Portugal.

Doctors Kate and Gerry McCann thanked the hundreds of police and volunteers searching for the girl, who detectives fear may have been abducted.

"We are grateful to all of those currently taking part in the search," they said in a statement. "We are channelling all of our emotions and efforts into the steps that are being taken to secure Madeleine's safe return.

"We remain positive and thank the media for their ongoing support to publicise the search."

Despite a huge police operation, there has been no public news of a breakthrough.

Information from nine telephone calls to the Crimestoppers hotline has been passed to the police. A spokeswoman declined to give details or speculate on their relevance.

The Portuguese authorities have been forced to defend their investigation against strong criticism from parts of the British media and some expatriates in Portugal.

Madeleine's grandmother Susan Healy said police made mistakes early in the investigation.