DETECTIVES have released a new computer-generated image of Madeleine McCann after uncovering evidence which suggests the missing girl is still alive.

The Metropolitan Police Service has urged Portuguese authorities to reopen the case after 195 potential leads were found in a review of the investigation.

Officers claim to have discovered "genuinely new material" and say they now believe there is a possibility Madeleine is still alive.

However, they refused to reveal what evidence they had uncovered to suggest this.

The claims – which will offer fresh hope to her parents Kate and Glasgow-born Gerry McCann – come ahead of the fifth anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007.

She went missing from her family's holiday flat as her parents dined with friends nearby.

The "age progression" image – which was created in close collaboration with the family – shows how Madeleine would look now, approaching her ninth birthday on May 12.

A spokesman for the McCanns said the family was pleased with the image.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, who is leading the review, said he believes Madeleine was abducted by a stranger.

He added: "From the outset we have approached this review with a completely open mind, placing Madeleine McCann at the heart of everything we do.

"We are working on the basis of two possibilities. One is that Madeleine is still alive; and the second that she is, sadly, dead.

"Based on the former 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."

The investigative review of the case began in May last year. Mr Redwood led the probe as part of a team of 30 officers within the Homicide and Serious Crime squad.

Officers worked closely with a senior investigating officer from Portugal's Policia Judaria throughout the review and travelled to the country seven times, including a visit to the scene of Madeleine's disappearance in Praia da Luz.

They have also been in close contact with the McCann family, who have been assigned a family liaison officer.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The review team are in a unique position in that their task is to compile and review material from three separate strands – the Portuguese investigation, inquiries by UK law enforcement agencies, and the work of private investigators and agencies.

"Officers are methodically going through that material which they believe amounts to around 40,000 pieces of information equating to approximately 100,000 pages.

"The intention is to identify from that material investigative opportunities which we will then present to the Portuguese authorities who retain primacy for the investigation.

"Officers have so far identified around 195 such opportunities within the historic material, and are also developing what they believe to be genuinely new material."

The spokesman added that the objective of the review team is to have the case, which has been closed since 2008, re-opened by the Portuguese authorities.

In March, a new team of detectives from Porto, northern Portugal, was brought in to re-examine the case, which the McCanns' Portuguese lawyer Rogerio Alves described as a "very positive sign".

The latest alleged sighting of Madeleine was made earlier this month in the Costa del Sol.

Mr Redwood added: "The second point of appeal is in relation to those who were at the resort of Praia da Luz between April 28 and May 3, 2007. If you were either on holiday or in residence in the resort during this period, particularly in the vicinity of the Ocean Club, and you have not been spoken to by police either here or in Portugal then please call us."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0800 0961011 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.