It was a proud moment for her parents when they dropped off twins Sean and Amelie for their first day in primary class in Thurmaston, Leics.

But the occasion was tinged with overwhelming sadness for the couple.

Staff at Bishop Ellis Roman Catholic Primary kept an empty desk and locker for Madeleine when she vanished - and they still keep a candle burning in the hope she will one day return.

A message on the school's website says: "We are sorry that we are not yet able to welcome Madeleine to our school as we had hoped to.

An internet banner shows a picture of the missing girl as she was aged three, when she disappeared, and an "age-progressed" image of how she would look now.

The twins were driven the five miles to school from their family home in Rothley.