McCanns to take twins back to Praia

The anguished mother did go back to the tiny Nossa Senhora da Luz church where she prayed every day after Madeleine vanished shortly before her fourth birthday.

Kate wept openly during a service on Saturday night. She and Gerry held hands as a single candle lit a photo of Maddie.

The picture was on a red paper heart background beneath a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Priest Father Jose Pacheco, who comforted the McCanns after Maddie was snatched, said prayers for "all the missing children in the world, especially Madeleine".

The McCanns, both doctors, of Rothley, Leics, had visited the church early that morning and later walked on the nearby beach.

The couple visited Praia after their libel case against former police chief Goncalo Amaral was postponed in Lisbon.

Lawyer Isabel said Kate was "a broken woman".

She added: "As a mother myself I cannot comprehend what she is going through."

Kate and Gerry flew back to the UK yesterday.

(Edit:Ruby)