Detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann today began interviews with 11 people in Portugal.
The interviews are the latest development in the seven year search for Madeleine, who was three when she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve in May 2007.
It was widely reported today that British detectives have travelled to Portugal to question the 11 people.
They are said to include a number of British ex-patriates as well as former employees of the Ocean Club, where the McCanns were staying when Madeleine went missing.
Some of the people have previously spoken to detectives about Madeleine's disappearance.
It is the biggest number of witnesses to be interviewed since the Metropolitan Police took over he search for Madeleine, of Rothley, in 2011.
The interviews are expected to be conducted by Portuguese detectives with advice, including 250 specific questions, from their British counterparts.
In Portuguese law, if officers suspect an individual's involvement in a crime but are not in a position to arrest or charge, they are given "arguido" status - giving them the right not to answer questions and to legal representation.
In June police conducted a 10-day search of land near the holiday apartment.
The search yielded no trace of the youngster but Mr and Mrs McCann, who live in Rothley, said the activity reinforced their belief Madeline is still alive.
