The parents of missing Madeleine McCann are praying for a breakthrough and still hoping to find their daughter alive, despite claims that their abducted daughter lies dead near to where she was snatched in Portugal.

Over the six weeks since Madeleine's disappearance, parents Kate and Gerry McCann have led a widespread publicity campaign to find their daughter.

An anonymous letter and map has recently been sent to a Dutch newspaper, De Telegraaf, detailing the supposed location of the body of the missing British four-year-old.

Kate McCann, 38, is said to have burst into tears when she was told about the letter.

Portuguese police started a search Wednesday of an area of deserted scrubland just 13 miles to the north of where Madeleine was snatched.

But a report said the search had been delayed by driving rain, while others suggested it could have been called off before it had even begun.

Police spokesman Olegario Sousa said they were taking the letter's claim seriously but insisted it was just one of a number of leads. He said they could start searching an area only if they had a precise location.

The McCanns are upset by the police delays and furious the details were published online before they knew about them and before police had the chance to investigate.

Gerry McCann, 39, confirmed the information was being taken seriously.

The couple have held onto their Catholic faith throughout their ordeal, regularly attending a local Catholic church as well as recently travelling to Rome to meet Pope Benedict XVI, who prayed for their daughter.