A visibly upset Gerry McCann told the Belfast Telegraph that he and his wife Kate have drawn comfort from the support that they continue to receive.

It has been 81 days since four- year-old Madeleine disappeared from a holiday apartment in the Portuguese resort of Praia de Luz.

Speaking at the weekend following a vigil in the Algarve for the safe return of his daughter, Mr McCann said: "We are very grateful for all the support. The support does help. The campaign is nothing without public support. We are always touched when people show they care. Thank you."

The vigil was held just before Mr McCann flew to Washington to meet US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and experts at both the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children, in a bid to understand the work being carried out to reduce child abductions around the world.

Earlier this month he and his wife flew to London to visit Ulsterman Jim Gamble - head of the Child Exploitation and On-Line Protection Centre (CEOP) - whose team is helping in the search for Madeleine.

Although Madeleine was abducted almost three months ago, the case still has a high profile in the Algarve.

Posters and photographs of the missing child are displayed in many shop windows, bars and restaurants at resorts in and around Praia de Luz.

There had been concern that the abduction may have dented the number of young families travelling to the Algarve for the summer break, however the majority of the resorts are catering at full capacity.

Grania McKay, originally from Antrim but who now runs a gift shop close to Praia De Luz, said: "Everyone still talks about it, tourists and locals, but it definitely has not affected tourist numbers."