Madeleine Villagers to Remove Ribbons

THE thousands of yellow ribbons tied to a war memorial in Madeleine McCann’s home village are to be removed.

They have been left by well-wishers as a symbol of hope for the four-year-old abducted on a family holiday in Portugal 80 days ago.

Her great-uncle Brian Kennedy said the railings around the memorial in Rothley, Leicestershire, would be stripped of ribbons by August 1. He added: ‘We are not giving up the search but we think the time has come to move on a bit.’ Toys and messages left at the memorial have already been removed.

Cuddly toys have been cleaned and sent to children’s charities.

Madeleine’s father Gerry, writing in his internet diary, said: ‘We are still very hopeful Madeleine will be safely returned. We cannot contemplate giving up the search.’

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