ABOVE: Madeleine McCann went missing 50 miles from where the man was arrested

The 48-year-old was held after three sets of parents noticed him taking pictures of youngsters.

He was arrested on Marinotel beach in the popular resort of Vilamoura at around 3pm on Thursday.

The beach is 50 miles from Praia da Luz, where Madeleine McCann disappeared in May 2007.

Commander Marques Ferreira said: “We were able to verify the existence of many photographs of children aged between eight and 15.”

A police source said witnesses claimed that the man pointed his camera several times at children.

A Portuguese holidaymaker told newspaper Diario de Noticias: “When the police arrived on the beach they were able to see the man still taking photos.”

The suspect, who has not been named, was due to appear at a court in the nearby town of Loule yesterday.

Police made him an “arguido”, or formal suspect, on Thursday evening before releasing him on bail.