She travelled to Westminster yesterday to give evidence to an inquiry looking at the help given to families whose children are missing.

Kate McCann, centre, with with Nicki Durban (right) mother of missing Luke Durbin and Sarah Godwin (left) mother of missing Quentin Godwin

Calling for the Government to improve support, Kate, of Rothley, said: "As a parent of a missing child or adult, you need to know that everything that can reasonably be done is being done.

"We've had to really fight to get the help from those who can make the most difference ? the police and the authorities."

The inquiry was welcomed by Leicestershire police, who said six men, two women, six girls and three boys from the county are currently logged as missing on their system.

The figures do not include Madeleine, who disappeared from her family's holiday flat in the Algarve in May, 2007, or Braunstone Frith man Derek Cross, who went missing in November, 1996 while on holiday in Benidorm, because they went missing abroad.

Yesterday's inquiry was held by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Runaway and Missing Children and Adults.

Speaking to the group of MPs, Kate said: "To be left in the dark when your child is missing and at risk is unbearable and bordering on the inhumane. Professional psychological help and support is essential. As human beings we are not equipped to deal with such devastating emotions.

"If we can improve the help and support given to other families who find themselves thrown into this awful nightmare it will be worth every minute."

Kate was joined by two other mothers ? Sarah Godwin, whose son, Quentin, was 18 when he went missing in New Zealand in 1992, and Nicki Durbin, whose 19-year-old son Luke disappeared four years ago.

They spoke about the amount of emotional support currently available to families.

Addressing crowds outside the Commons, while clutching a picture of Madeleine, Kate said: "If your house is burgled, you are automatically offered victim support with emotional, practical and legal assistance. If your child goes missing, you may get nothing.

"This parliamentary inquiry has the potential to change that.

"When someone you love goes missing, you are left with unimaginable, unending heartbreak, confusion, guilt and worry. In addition to the reassurance that everything possible is being done to find their missing loved one, families need support."

The inquiry continues on Thursday, when Rachel Elias, sister of missing Manic Street Preachers guitarist Richey Edwards, will talk about current guidelines on when to presume a missing person is dead.

Peter Lawrence, father of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence, will also talk about the difficulties of managing a missing person's practical affairs such as finances.

The final session, on June 23, will look at missing person reports and how bodies are identified.

MP Ann Coffey, chair of the inquiry, said: "This inquiry will examine what emotional, practical and legal support those families need to help them cope at such a traumatic time.

"When a child or vulnerable adult goes missing the families left behind are absolutely devastated. Often the families feel isolated and alone."

The Missing People charity said about 200,000 people nationally go missing every year. Two-thirds are children.