Callers claiming to have fresh information on missing Madeleine McCann have come forward after a new appeal by her parents.

Potential sightings and other leads are being followed up by a British team of former detectives who specialise in cold cases.

Parents Kate and Gerry, both 40, were delighted with the public response to their Christmas appeal, when they released a previously unseen video of their daughter.

Thousands logged on to www.findmadeleine.com to hear the couple's message: "This is our second Christmas without Madeleine. Please help us make sure we don't have a third."

Their spokesman said yesterday: "Kate and Gerry are pleased because the new material has achieved the desired response."

The couple spent Christmas at home in Rothley, Leics, with their twins, three. Madeleine vanished in Portugal days before her fourth birthday.