Results sent to Portuguese police by the Birminghambased Forensic Science Service apparently include new evidence of the presence of Madeleine's body in a hire car rented by the couple several weeks after she went missing.

The report came as the McCanns marked the halfanniversary of her disappearance from their holiday apartment in the Portuguese resort of Praia Da Luz on 3 May. In that time the McCanns have been declared official suspects by Portuguese police but the couple insist their daughter was snatched from her bed while they dined at a nearby tapas restaurant.

Meanwhile, Kate McCann made a fresh appeal for information about her daughter yesterday, on the six-month anniversary of the four-yearold's disappearance.

Almost two months after returning to their home town of Rothley, Leicestershire, and in the same week that Gerry McCann has gone back to his job as a consultant cardiologist, the family show no signs of giving up the search.

Over the past six months, a number of theories have been put forward as to what happened on the night of Madeleine's disappearance, some of which have targeted Kate and Gerry McCann themselves as suspects.

However, the McCanns maintain that their daughter was abducted and recently released an artist's impression of the man who they think took Madeleine, the four-year-old whose face has become known all over the world. Just this week, Spanish private detectives hired by the McCanns have investigated a sighting in Morocco of a blonde girl with the same distinctive mark in one eye as Madeleine.

In a statement, Kate McCann said she was sure her daughter was still alive and remained hopeful about her safe return. "Six months is such a long time for a little girl to be separated from her family. We believe that our Madeleine is out there somewhere and retain hope that we can be reunited, " she said.

"Madeleine is a beautiful little person who deserves a loving and happy life. To ensure this, there is no doubt that the best place for her to to be is with her family. We know somebody somewhere can make this happen. That person has the ability and power to bring about so much joy as well as bring peace to themselves. If you have any information relating to Madeleine's disappearance or whereabouts please pass it on."

The mother of three, from Rothley in Leicestershire, urged anyone with information to call a phone line manned by private detectives on 0034 902 300213.

She and her husband also released a photograph of their daughter made public for the first time. It shows the youngster on Saturday 21 April this year, 12 days before she disappeared. She is pictured at a play area near the family's home in The Crescent, Rothley.

The McCanns marked the six-month anniversary by taking part in an ecumenical prayer service at the Church of St Mary and St John in Rothley. Special prayers were said for Madeleine and other missing children between 9.30pm and 9.45pm . . . six months to the minute since her apparent abduction.

Today's milestone comes after the Spanish private detective hired by the McCanns to find their daughter vowed that he would do so within five months. Francisco Marco said he thought she was alive in Morocco and is following up reported sightings of a blonde-haired girl with her distinctive right eye.

The detective's Spanishbased agency, Metodo 3, was given the job of finding Madeleine in September. "We have a six-month agreement with the McCanns. We have already spent a month and a half working. I will find her before that period is up." He added that he is certain the McCanns had nothing to do with Madeleine's disappearance. "Our staff interviewed the McCanns for 10 hours, enough time for us to tell if they were trying to fool us. My specialists assure me they are not hiding anything. I would not risk the prestige this agency has gained over 23 years without being convinced there is a case."

Marco believes Madeleine was stolen to order. He told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia: "A blonde girl like Madeleine is a symbol of social status in Morocco. That is the way it is. I can't tell you more."