Madeleine McCann's parents were yesterday "delighted" at the huge support for their petition calling for a review of the case - with more than 24,000 people signing.

Kate and Gerry McCann launched the petition on Wednesday - exactly three and-a-half years after their daughter, then three, disappeared in Portugal.

Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "It's fair to say they are delighted. The petition is tangible evidence of the public support that they know is out there.

"Hopefully both the Portuguese and British governments will take notice and there will be a review."