The news was confirmed by the British Home Office on Saturday evening.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Following an application from the Metropolitan Police for Special Grant funding, the Home Office has confirmed £85,000 in operational costs for Operation Grange for the period 1 April until September 2017.

"As with all applications, the resources required are reviewed regularly and careful consideration is given before any new funding is allocated."

The Metropolitan Police, who have been assisting their Portuguese counterparts since 2011 said: "The investigation is ongoing. We are not prepared to discuss any lines of inquiry while the investigation is ongoing."

There is one person who was near the area where Madeleine went missing who police want to speak to, the Sunday Express reported.

To date, the British taxpayer has funded Operation Grange to the tune of around almost 15 million euros.

The Portugal News contacted the PJ Police in Lisbon on Saturday evening who declined to comment at this latest development.

The investigation in Portugal is ongoing.