Spain police investigate Madeleine McCann 'sighting'

Spanish police are investigating a reported sighting of Madeleine McCann in a Costa del Sol resort.

Specialist officers are following up a tip-off received about 10 days ago that a girl resembling the missing British child was spotted in Nerja, 30 miles east of Malaga, sources said.

The possible sighting is being handled by the specialised and violent crime unit (unidad de delincuencia especializada y violenta, or UDEV) of Spain's judicial police, the Malaga-based Sur newspaper reported.

It is understood that Scotland Yard detectives reviewing the case are liaising with their Spanish counterparts about the latest lead.

Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday flat in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3 2007 as her parents Kate and Gerry McCann dined with friends nearby.

There have been hundreds of possible sightings of her all over the world since she vanished, but so far they have all come to nothing.

Her parents are preparing to mark the fifth anniversary of her disappearance next month.

McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry are aware of this particular report from Spain. It was absolutely right that the police investigate any potential lead.

"Kate and Gerry remain very grateful for the co-operation of the police in the search for Madeleine."

PA