Kate and Gerry McCann will this week brave another family milestone without their beloved daughter Maddie - their twins' fourth birthday.

Sean and sister Amelie, who has become more like her chatty big sister, will be treated to a party at the weekend.
 

Pals say it will be especially poignant as Maddie was snatched in Portugal just nine days short of her own fourth birthday.

A close family friend said last night: "Kate and Gerry love watching the twins grow up but this is going to be difficult, a painful reminder of the last time they saw Madeleine.

 

"Amelie looks so like Madeleine did at her age although she has blonder hair. Even Amelie says: 'I'm pretty, just like Madeleine!' It makes Kate very tearful at times.

 

"Amelie loves swimming and dressing like her sister - and still carries around her sister's Cuddle Cat toy as if it were her own."

 

The kids' party is expected to be held at the family home Rothley, Leics, on Sunday - a full 20 months since Gerry and Kate, both 40, last saw Maddie.

 

She vanished during a holiday in Praia da Luz, sparking a global search. The couple still believe she is alive. Her gran Eileen McCann, 68, said: "It's the twins' big day and they're very excited. As hard as it is, life has to go on."

 

Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "The party is a very private occasion. Kate and Gerry are busy working hard on the search for Madeleine."