Portuguese police have launched a review of the Madeleine McCann case.
A team of detectives based in Oporto has been appointed to re-examine the original investigation into the little girl's disappearance from the Algarve in 2007, according to reports.
It is understood that the team from Portugal's investigative Policia Judiciaria (PJ), headed by senior officer Helena Monteiro, has been looking at the Madeleine case for some weeks now.
No new leads have been found that point to Madeleine's whereabouts so the Portuguese will not be formally reopening the investigation, the Correio da Manha newspaper reported.
Madeleine was three when she went missing from her family's holiday flat in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3, 2007, as her parents, Kate and Gerry, dined with friends nearby.
Portuguese detectives, helped by officers from Leicestershire police, carried out a massive investigation into her disappearance.
The official inquiry was formally abandoned in July 2008.
Scotland Yard officers have been carrying out their own review since last May.
It was launched after a request from Home Secretary Theresa May supported by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Speaking after news of the Portuguese move, McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry obviously welcome the work being done by the PJ in Oporto alongside that of the Met investigative team.
"They clearly hope that it will lead to the case being reopened in due course.
"There is good co-operation between the Met and the PJ, and Kate and Gerry remain grateful for the time and resources that have been put into the search for Madeleine.
"They will not be discussing any details whilst both the Met investigative review and the PJ work is continuing, but clearly it is a positive development."
