British police are returning to Portugal to question several people in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann this week.

The detectives, who will travel to the Algarve on Monday, are expected to spend three days working on the case.

It comes in the wake of the departure of the detective leading the hunt for Madeleine, who vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007 while her parents Gerry and Kate were dining with friends nearby.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, who has been the head of Operation Grange since it was set up in 2011, will step down before Christmas.

He will be replaced by Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall, who will officially take over the inquiry on December 22nd.

She will travel with the detectives going to Portugal and will meet with officials there.

Earlier this year, Scotland Yard detectives returned to Portugal to help interview several people over the case.

It followed on from searches of three areas of land near the Ocean Club, the hotel where the McCanns were staying.

Portuguese and British investigators excavated an area of scrubland to the west of the resort at the start of June but found no evidence related to the case.

Portuguese police closed their investigation in 2008, but the Met launched its own inquiry three years later.