Madeleine McCann vanished in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007 aged three. Photograph: Real Madrid TV/EPA  Search teams are expected to start excavating sites in Portugal as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.  Portuguese authorities are understood to have given permission for the search of several sites in Praia da Luz, where Madeleine went missing aged three. The move comes just after the seventh anniversary of her disappearance on 3 May 2007 during a family holiday.  The request to search a number of sites is thought to be one of several made by British detectives.  The excavations, which are expected to be conducted by forensic experts, are not thought to necessarily be in connection with a search for Madeleine's body or remains.  Detectives from Scotland Yard are expected to be in Portugal for the searches, but it is not thought that Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, will return to Praia da Luz. Scotland Yard has refused to comment on reports about the latest development in the investigation.  The McCanns' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: "As always, we simply will not comment on operational details of Operation Grange. That is a matter for the Met police.  "Kate and Gerry are being kept fully informed throughout."  At the weekend the McCanns thanked the public for their unstinting support at a prayer service on the seventh anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance.  The couple were joined by around 100 wellwishers, friends and relatives for a low-key open-air service in the centre of Rothley, Leicestershire, which saw candles being lit for all children around the world who have been taken away from their parents against their will.  Gerry McCann expressed his family's gratitude that the Metropolitan police team investigating his daughter's disappearance was now moving on to a "very active" phase in their investigation, saying: "They are chipping away and obviously there is new evidence so we are going to continue to hope that we will get a happy outcome."  Earlier Kate McCann disclosed that she privately returns to the Portuguese resort where her daughter disappeared to "walk those streets" and "look for answers", as she backed a revamped alert system triggered when missing children are kidnapped or their lives are at risk – known as Child Rescue Alerts.
Portuguese authorities give permission for sites to be searched in Praia da Luz after request from British detectives