The parents of missing Madeleine McCann face an agonising wait for the results of a DNA test after a young girl suspected of being their daughter was spotted in India

The girl fitting the description of Maddy, who went missing whie on a family holiday to the Algarve in Portugal in 2007, was seen by a British woman and two Americans in a market in the northern city of Leh.

The trio were so convinced it was Madeleine, who would now be eight years old, that they tried to take the girl away from the Belgian man and French woman who insist they are the child's parents. 

Police have taken swabs from the youngster so that a DNA test can be carried out and a team of private investigators working on behalf of Kate and Gerry McCann are liaising with them.

A computer generated image released in 2009 showing how Madeleine McCann might look aged six (Pic: AP)

 It has also been reported that the passports of the girl's family have been confiscated by the Indian authorities until the results of the DNA test have come back.

A spokesman for Leh police said: "It all depends upon the evidence like DNA for which help from Madeleine's parents and the British police was required."

Kate and Gerry McCann's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: "Our private investigators are aware of the reports from India over the weekend about a possible sighting of Madeleine.

"We are liaising with the Indian authorities over the incident and await the results of the DNA test."