Children pray for missing Madeleine on first day of school

Yesterday was meant to be Madeleine McCann's first day at school. Children at Bishop Ellis Catholic Primary School in Thurmaston, Leicestershire, said a special prayer for their missing classmate. The school is also keeping a candle burning until she comes home. Headteacher Gail Neill told the BBC: "We are deeply saddened that we cannot yet welcome Madeleine McCann, who was due to start in our Four Plus class. A place has been prepared here for Madeleine, in exactly the same way as it has been for the other new children. It will remain ready and waiting as we continue to pray, along with her parents, in the hope of her safe return to her family. "We keep a candle burning for Madeleine in our school. It symbolises our hope and prayers and her spirit. It will continue to burn until she is returned." It is 120 days since the four-year old was snatched from her family's holiday flat in Portugal.