McCanns to ask court to order release of police files on Madeleine's disappearance

Madeleine McCann went missing from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May last year but because of the country's secrecy laws the McCanns have had little information on the police investigation.

Kate and Gerry McCann: The couple want the police's information on their daughter's disappearance

The couple and the private detective agency they are employing want to examine potential lines of inquiry as part of their own search.

Police in their home county of Leicestershire, who lead the British arm of the official investigation, have so far stuck to an agreement with their Portuguese counterparts on the non-disclosure of information.

The couple have made their daughter a ward of court, which empowers judges to act in the girl's best interests in a legal dispute.

Still missing: Madeleine has been made a ward of court

They hope their application to Mrs Justice Hogg, listed for the Family Division of the High Court on July 7, will give them access to the police files on various reported sightings.

Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for the McCanns, said: 'This application is just part of their search for Madeleine.'