THE parents of missing Madeleine McCann say they will not give up hope she is alive until evidence proves otherwise.
Glasgow-born consultant cardiologist Gerry McCann and wife Kate were speaking ahead of a detailed reconstruction to be shown on the BBC's Crimewatch show on Monday of the final moments before her abduction.
The three-year-old vanished from their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007.
Mr McCann said the family were encouraged by the new evidence in the case.
He said: "We've always had hope. There have been a number of cases over the last few years of children and young women being found after having been taken and held for very long periods of time.
"As parents we won't accept Madeleine is dead until we see clear evidence that is the case.
"We are very pleased with the work of the Metropolitan Police and we're confident that the appeals will hopefully lead to new information and bring us a step closer to finding Madeleine and those responsible for taking her."
Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said he hoped the fresh appeal will produce new witnesses.
He said a conclusion to the case was not imminent.
The BBC are billing the appeal as the "latest, most detailed understanding" of the events around the time Madeleine went missing.
Last week, the force revealed a vast log of mobile phone traffic could be the key to finding out what happened to the girl.
Mr McCann, who now lives with his family in Rothley, Leicestershire, added that the support of the British police had been very helpful.
He added: "We're encouraged. We're optimistic that new pieces will be uncovered which will fill in parts of the jigsaw."
Detectives have interviewed 442 people as part of their review-turned-investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, hope to track down as many people present in the area of Algarve on May 3, 2007, the day she vanished.
Mr Rowley said it was vital the public focused on new facts rather than speculation.
He added: "Just to be clear, we are focused on the appeal on Crimewatch next week which we hope will produce new witnesses. It is clearly too early to speculate about where this will lead.
"It remains vital for us, and the success of the appeal, that the public are focused on new facts that can be released by the investigative team rather than speculation.
"I am impressed by what (senior investigating officer) Detective Chief Inspector (Andy) Redwood and his team have achieved but a conclusion is not imminent, there is much ground to cover and we still need assistance - hence the appeal next week."
Announcing the appeal, Mr Redwood said police now have the "most complete picture to date" of the events surrounding Madeleine's disappearance.
A three-year-old actress will play the youngster in the reconstruction. A small production team from the programme spent a week filming abroad for the new appeal.
The programme's Scots-born presenter Kirsty Young speaks to the McCanns in the programme, while presenter Matthew Amroliwala has been to Praia da Luz to explore the new focus of the police investigation.
The McCanns and Mr Redwood will also be speaking to Ms Young live in the studio.
Scotland Yard has revealed that, since launching its own investigation, 41 people of interest have been identified, including 15 UK nationals, up from 38 people of interest including 12 UK nationals established in July.
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