Published Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Madeleine McCann before she disappeared (left) and as she might look now aged 9. (© Teri Blythe/Metropolitan Police/PA)
The then three-year-old's apparent abduction from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal back in 2007 sent shockwaves around the world - including in Donegal, where her grandfather grew up.
But Metropolitan Police detectives say they currently have 195 potential leads to finding Madeleine alive and have urged Portuguese authorities to resume searches.
"Most significantly, the message we want to bring to you is that - on the evidence - there is a possibility that she is alive and we desperately need your help today to appeal directly to the public for information to support our investigation," Commander Simon Foy said.
We are releasing the age progression image with a specific appeal - if you know where Madeleine McCann is now or you have new direct information or evidence about what has happened to her then please contact us.
Met Police
A team of 37 officers have dealt with 40,000 pieces of information and made seven trips to Portugal as they review the case and try to find the little girl.
Madeleine vanished from the apartment where her family had been staying as her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, dined with friends nearby.
A spokesman for the family said they were pleased with the image of what Madeleine would now look like, which was created in close collaboration with them.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, who is leading the Metropolitan Police's review of the case, said he believed her disappearance was a stranger abduction.
"Evidence that she is alive stems from the forensic view of the timeline," he added.
"What we're not doing is passively passing through material - we're actively seeking to bring closure in the case."
Detectives in Portugal are also understood to want the case reopened, but must gain judicial approval first.
Police continue to urge anyone with information about Madeleine McCann's disappearance to contact them on 0800 096 1011 from within the UK or +44 207 1580 126 from outside.
Information can also be passed anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.