The shortfall was revealed as leaflets blaming parents Kate and Gerry over Maddie's disappearance were delivered to every address in the McCanns' home village of Rothley, Leics.

 

The furious couple have vowed to sue the sick pampleteers.

 

Meanwhile, 41-year-old doctors Gerry and Kate are meeting fundraising experts as they now have less than £250,000 to continue the worldwide hunt for Maddie.

 

A source close to the McCanns said: "It's a very worrying time. The money will run out by the end of the year and no one knows where the next lot will come from."

 

Kate and Gerry have vowed never to quit the hunt for their daughter, who vanished while on holiday with her parents and their two year-old twins Sean and Amelie in Praia da Luz.

 

Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Their search will not stop when the money runs out."

 

russell.myers@people.co.uk