Prayers have been offered for missing Madeleine McCann on the third anniversary of her disappearance.
Friends and well-wishers joined Madeleine’s family at Liverpool born Kate McCann’s parish church of Our Lady of the Annunciation Bishop Eton, in Woolton, for a special service on Monday evening.
Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry, and her five-year-old twin siblings Amelie and Sean were unable to attend the service but grandparents, Brian and Susan Healy, who live in the Mossley Hill area of the city, were greeted by supporters.
More than 200 people attended the hour long service, which was led by Parish Priest Fr Desmond Keegan.
Praying for the youngster's safe return, Fr Desmond said: "In the windows of our hearts we will keep a candle burning for little Madeleine.
"It is very important that in this parish community for the last years we have prayed for little Madeleine and all missing children.
"We pray that Jesus is keeping Madeleine safe and Jesus, Light of the World, is holding a light for Madeleine."
The congregation sang hymns and lit candles for Madeleine, whose picture was displayed at the back of the church.
Fr Desmond added: "We hope, we pray, we trust that little Madeleine will be guided home by the light of so many candles burning brightly."
Blonde Maddie was nearly four when she went missing from an apartment during a family holiday in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on the Algarve on 3rd May 2007.
Next week marks the little girl’s seventh birthday, which falls on 12th May.
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kelsie, colchester around 1 year, 9 months ago