Madeleine McCann's parents have released a statement, after a convicted child abuser was named an official suspect in the child's disappearance.

The three-year-old girl disappeared from her family's rented holiday apartment in the Portuguese town of Praia da Luz nearly 15 years ago.

Portuguese prosecutors declared convicted child abuser and rapist Christian B an ‘arguido’ - or a formal suspect in the case - overnight.

The 44-year-old is currently in prison in Germany for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same town Madeleine disappeared from in 2005.

A statement, signed from Kate and Gerry McCann, was posted on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page on Friday.

Missing British child Madeleine McCann

It says: "We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an 'arguido' in relation to the disappearance of our beloved daughter Madeleine.

"This reflects progress in the investigation, being conducted by the Portuguese, German and British authorities.

"We are kept informed of developments by the Metropolitan Police."

The statement adds: "It is important to note the 'arguido' has not yet been charged with any specific crime related to Madeleine's disappearance.

"Even though the possibility may be slim, we have not given up hope that Madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her."

Main image: Kate and Gerry McCann are seen in Hamburg, Germany in September 2011. Picture by: dpa picture alliance archive / Alamy Stock Photo