FIFTY balloons were released over Skipton in a bid to get missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann back to her family safe and well.

The balloon launch, at Water Street School on Friday, marked 50 days since the little girl was snatched during a family holiday in Praia Da Luz in the Algarve, Portugal.

At destinations around the world, balloons bearing a picture of Madeleine and the Crimestoppers number were released into the sky.

Skipton woman Anne-Marie Wright is the cousin of Madeleine's mum, Kate, and organised the event at Water Street, where her son, Patrick, is a pupil.

Her daughter, Katie, also read a short prayer.

Mrs Wright said there had been a nice, quiet atmosphere at the event.

She added: "The day was two-fold. We want to keep raising awareness and keep it in the public eye.

"Then there's the small chance that someone might find the balloon and have information to find Madeleine."

Mrs Wright has been out to Portugal twice since Madeleine went missing.

She said she was staying in contact with Kate and her husband, Gerry, via text, and the couple were still confident their daughter would be returned.

Details on the Madeleine campaign can be found at www.findmadeleine.com