GLOBAL BALLOON RELEASE FOR MADELEINE ON 50TH DAY

Madeleine McCann’s father today hailed as “incredible” a worldwide balloon tribute marking the 50th day of her disappearance.

Hundreds of balloons bearing the youngster’s picture have been sent floating off in the sky to highlight the sombre anniversary.

They have been released by well-wishers in countries around the world, including Ireland, Argentina, the United States, Singapore, Australia - and even Afghanistan, where people have raced kites emblazoned with images of Madeleine.

In Britain, scores of launches have also been organised, by everyone from families in their back gardens to mass launches by armies of schoolchildren.

Scores of pupils at Europe’s largest school, the Holyrood RC Secondary in Glasgow, helped lead the tribute earlier today.

Second-year students at the 2,300-pupil establishment sent a colourful fleet of green and yellow balloons soaring into the sky at midday.

Other schools up and down the UK also joined in.

Elsewhere, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, balloons were released by children born the same year as four-year-old Madeleine.

And in California, campaign-followers were to set free 50 white doves in her name.

Later today, the youngster’s parents Gerry and Kate McCann will release 50 yellow balloons themselves from a beach in Praia da Luz.

The couple have been staying in the Algarve resort since the abduction on May 3.

Writing on his blog, Mr McCann said: “The response to the balloon launch to mark 50 days that Madeleine has been missing has been incredible.

“There are close to 300 centres, and countries all over the world, participating.”