THE anniversary of Madeleine McCann's disappearance will be marked in her home village with prayers for missing children around the world.

A service will be held on Saturday morning at the parish church of St Mary and St John, in Rothley.

Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, are not expected to attend.

Vicar Rob Gladstone said it was `an opportunity for people to come together and pray for all missing children'.

The first anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance comes as her father said he believed she is still `probably alive' and had seen `absolutely zero' evidence to suggest otherwise.

Mr McCann also said hindsight showed he and his wife `made a mistake' in leaving the children alone, but dismissed suggestions the couple could face charges of child negligence.