David Cameron backed Theresa May's request for the review

British detectives reviewing the search for Madeleine McCann have held their first face-to-face meetings with Portuguese police chiefs.

The Metropolitan Police (Met) confirmed senior officers from a 30-strong squad examining the case travelled to Portugal in early August.

Scotland Yard said officers discussed ways of taking the review forward.

Madeleine, from Rothley in Leicestershire, went missing while on holiday in the Algarve in May 2007.

The review was launched in May at the request of Home Secretary Theresa May, with the backing of Prime Minister David Cameron.

A Metropolitan Police Services (MPS) spokesman said: "MPS officers travelled to Portugal at the beginning of August and had their first formal meeting with Portuguese authorities to discuss ways to progress the investigative review."

The investigation by Portuguese detectives was formally shelved in July 2008 and since then no police force has been actively looking for Madeleine, who was nearly four years old when she went missing.

Hundreds of possible sightings have been reported around the world since she disappeared, but so far they have all come to nothing.

The Met review is being led by Det Ch Insp Andy Redwood from the force's Homicide and Serious Crime Command.