Scotland Yard release photofit picture of Madeleine McCann aged nine

The pictures of Madeleine,who would now be aged 9, were released as Scotland Yard urges Portugese authorities to re-commence their search for the girl missing since 2007.

DCI Andy Redwood is leading a review of evidence, confident the case can be solved.

He said there were 195 potential leads, drawn from 40,000 pieces of information, to finding her alive.

Madeleine McCann was nearly four when she went missing from her family’s holiday flat in Praia da Luz in Portugal on May 3, 2007.

Her parents Kate and Gerry were dining with friends nearby at the time.

The investigation into her whereabouts was closed in July 2008, but a Scotland Yard review of the case, Operation Grange, was launched last year after a plea from Madeleine’s parents.

DCI Redwood says this is the first time the three elements of Portuguese law enforcement bodies, British police and private investigations commissioned by the McCanns, have been drawn together.

His team in London is pushing ahead with solving the case despite  Portugese police,  the lead agency, still opting to shelve it.

DCI Redwood said the review “will give us the best opportunity... to bring them the best-quality information to assist them in making that decision”.

Madelein’s parents said they were pleased with the new image of their daughter.