Madeleine McCann: German police say objects analysed after Portugal search

Several objects were found during a search of a Portuguese reservoir in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, German officials say.

In a short statement they added it was too early to to say whether the items, which are being analysed, are connected to the missing Briton.

Portuguese police, assisted by their German counterparts, searched the Arade reservoir in Portugal last week.

Madeleine disappeared from a holiday complex in the Algarve in May 2007.

Police say their investigation into 46-year-old German national Christian Brueckner, who has been named as an "arguido" or official suspect, is expected to continue for some time.

Christian Wolters, prosecutor for the city of Braunschweig, said the items found in Portugal would be examined over the coming weeks.

"We thank all officers who participated in the search. The co-operation between the Portuguese police, the British officers and the German federal police was outstanding and very constructive," he added.

Heavy machinery, sniffer dogs and pickaxes were used during the three-day search - which came at the request of German investigators who believe convicted sex offender Brueckner is the prime suspect in her disappearance.

He is currently in prison in Germany for the rape of a woman in Praia da Luz in 2005. Brueckner denies any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance, saying he was "miles away" with a German woman at the time she disappeared.