Maddie DNA clue

POLICE believe they may have found vital DNA left by the abductor of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann.

It was taken from strands of hair discovered in a bag of clothes dumped at a Portuguese roadside — which also held a green child's T-shirt with DNA links to Maddie. The hairs were on an adult's blue fleece and a pair of jeans.

Detectives are now checking all known Portuguese child sex offenders, trying to link the DNA with a name. Police sources in Portugal last night described the news as a significant breakthrough.

One said: "DNA was found on the clothes that didn't match Madeleine's. This is a big step forward. The bag could have huge significance because it could finally give us a trail that could lead us to her."

Last week we revealed how the white carrier bag was found in a lay-by near Faro airport, about 50 miles from the resort of Praia da Luz where Maddie disappeared on May 3. The clothes inside were tested at a UK forensic lab in Birmingham. Its report shows two hairs contained sufficient information to compile a strong DNA profile.

Police are now working on the theory that whoever dumped the bag — which also contained a pink and blue pencil case with heart motif — could have snatched Maddie. (News of the World)