THE PUBLICITY drive to mark the first anniversary of Madeleine McCann's disappearance has created an upsurge of interest in the website launched to help find her.

The four-year-old's parents Gerry and Kate McCann gave a major TV interview and the media gorged on every last detail of the case in the run up to yesterday's landmark of May 3, when she disappeared from their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Since then the Find Madeleine website has had a 10-fold increase in messages.

Sources close to the Ullapool-based site revealed it had received 1000 messages a day last week after visitor numbers had dwindled in recent months.

However, the figure is still a far cry from the 400,000 hits the website, run by a group of volunteers led by local policeman's son, Calum MacRae, 19, received in September after the couple were formally named suspects.

The McCanns' spokeswoman said the renewed interest in the case left the family hopeful.

She said: "There has been enormous interest in the website and the figures are in the thousands whereas before it was in the hundreds.

"They aren't raising their hopes, but wish the right person with the information, which might reveal to them where she might be, will come forward."

Kate yesterday thanked her local community for its support at a church service she attended with Gerry in their home town of Rothley, Leicestershire. She told the congregation to "keep praying, pray like mad" for Madeleine .

Gerry's brother John, his sister Trish Cameron, her husband Sandy and Kate's cousin, Michael Wright attended a candlelit vigil in the Portuguese village to show their appreciation of the villagers who helped them.

John, who has played a pivotal part in keeping alive interest in Maddy's disappearance, told the Sunday Herald: "Gerry and Kate are delighted with the upsurge in interest in the campaign and everything helps.

He reflected on a year of campaigning before attending a candlelit vigil at the Church of Our Lady of Light. John, of Knightswood, Glasgow, added: "It doesn't seem like a year ago that Madeleine disappeared. But we are very grateful for the support we've received."

He quoted the words of Praia da Luz's priest, Father Jose Manuel Pacheco, when he spoke of "strength, courage and most of all hope" nearly a year ago.

Outside the church, which became a focal point for Kate and Gerry's prayers during their stay in the resort, was a mannequin of Madeleine, made by Lisbon artist Maria dos Santos. A poster read: "It is very important to remember that you cannot exist as an adult without having been a child. Return Madeleine please."

Dos Santos said: "All the world is interested in this case. Everybody wants her to come back, everybody is hoping."

Alipio Riberio, national director of the Portuguese Judiciaria, denied speculation in a Portuguese magazine website it could soon drop the case against the McCanns. He said: "Nothing has been determined."

The other suspect, Robert Murat, fled the resort where he lives to avoid the renewed media glare. But it has emerged that Brian Kennedy, the McCanns' millionaire backer, met Murat over dinner.

Supporters urged people around the world to light candles, shine torches or turn on a porch lamp between 9.30 and 10pm last night, the 30 minutes when Madeleine vanished, as part of their Light The Way Home campaign.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu wrote a prayer for Madeleine: "We pray that she may be reunited with those who love her."