Hundreds of people have come forward with possible new information in the hunt for Madeleine McCann after a televised appeal by her parents.

The plea, filmed at Kate and Gerry McCann’s home in Rothley, Leicestershire, last Saturday, included previously unseen footage of Madeleine opening her gifts last Christmas. It has prompted 347 calls, and they will now be investigated by Metodo 3, the private detective agency hired by Mr and Mrs McCann to find their daughter.

In the television message, which was transmitted around the globe, Mrs McCann directed her words to her daughter. She said: “Our only Christmas wish is for you to be back with us again and we’re hoping and praying that that will happen. Love you Madeleine.”

Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns’ family spokesman, said: “We are pleased with the calls and they are continuing to come in. Every single call is much appreciated and we are going through them with a fine-tooth comb. Any that need to be acted upon swiftly, are being acted upon swiftly.”

He added: “We don’t go into detail [about the calls] because if there is any significant information we need to act on it before we talk about it.”

Mrs McCann went to Mass at St Stephen’s Church in Skipton, in North Yorkshire, yesterday to pray for Madeleine’s return. Appropriately Boxing Day is also St Stephen’s Day.

Mr and Mrs McCann had attended the church with their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie, for Mass on Christmas Day.

Peter Dawber, the priest who took the Christmas Mass, said: “Parishioners’ hearts go out to the McCanns, especially at this time of year.

“There was a prayer for Madeleine, but the Mass was a Christmas service.”

The McCanns, both 39, are staying in Skipton with Mrs McCann’s cousin, Anne Marie Wright, 43. They have endured their first Christmas without their daughter, who went missing from the family holiday apartment in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on May 3, just before her fourth birthday.

On her left lapel yesterday, Mrs McCann wore a badge bearing a photograph of Madeleine with the message, “Look into my eyes. Help find Madeleine.”

An onlooker said: “Every mother wants to cuddle her children at Christmas. It is heartbreaking that Kate has been denied that opportunity. The badge she was wearing is a symbol of hope that could help focus new eyes on the hunt for Madeleine.

“Kate looked much more anguished than she had on Christmas Day. Not having the twins with her must have given her the chance to show her true emotions.

“It is heartbreaking to see a mum so anguished at this special family time of year.”

Yesterday in the latest entry on his internet diary, Mr McCann said: “Madeleine should not be spending Christmas away from her loving family. The person who took her has it in their power to end our suffering and will be able to appease their conscience that they have done the right thing – especially at this time of year.

“Kate and I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to write to us and let us know Madeleine and our family are still in their thoughts and prayers.

“We still have at least one hundred cards to open! As always, every single one will be read and the support expressed helps renew our determination to find Madeleine.”

Yesterday a family friend said that the McCanns had changed the motto for the search for their daughter from not leaving any stone unturned to “never, never give up hope”.

The number to contact for anyone who has information about Madeleine is 0034 902 300 213.

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