Parents of Madeleine McCann do not believe a girl spotted in India is their daughter, a spokesman said.

A British woman and two Americans spotted a girl fitting the description of Madeleine, who went missing while on holiday in Praia da Luz in Portugal with her family four years ago, in a market in the northern city of Leh.

The group were so convinced it was her, they tried to take the girl away from the Belgian man and French woman who insist they are the child’s parents.

However a spokesman for Gerry and Kate McCann said that after they saw a photo of the girl, the couple were “certain” it was not their daughter, who would now be eight years old.

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Police are carrying out a DNA test to find out and a team of private investigators are working with them on the McCann’s behalf.

A spokesman for Leh police said: “It all depends on the evidence like DNA for which help from Madeleine’s parents and the British police was required.”

The McCann’s spokesman added: “Our private investigators are aware of the reports from India over the weekend about a possible sighting of Madeleine.

“We are liaising with the Indian authorities over the incident and await the results of the DNA test.”