It is not often that a single story captures the attention of a nation day after day but in Portugal, as in Britain, the search for Madeleine McCann has dominated the headlines since her disappearance last Thursday night. 

Images of the missing girl have appeared on the front pages of every national newspaper. Television and radio lead with updates on the search for Madeleine in every news bulletin. 

 The Portuguese media have routinely criticised elements of the police investigation. They have also been strong in criticising the McCanns for leaving their children unattended as they dined at a restaurant yards away and suggest they could face prosecution. 

 While the British press try to respect the privacy of the McCanns, the Portuguese have taken pictures of the family in private situations.

A lunchtime television news broadcast yesterday showed images of the couple cuddling their twins at the poolside of the Ocean Club complex.