TIMELINE: The disappearance of Madeleine McCann

LONDON (Reuters) - Madeleine McCann went missing in Portugal in May, 2007, sparking a massive publicity campaign and search.

Here is a timeline of the case:

2007

May 3 - Madeleine McCann goes missing from her bedroom in the Algarve holiday resort of Praia da Luz while her parents Kate and Gerry are dining just 100 yards away.

May 5 - Police say they believe she is still alive and being held within three miles of the crime scene.

May 14 - A British man, Robert Murat, is taken to a police station for questioning. He is later released.

May 30 - The McCanns meet Pope Benedict during a general audience at the Vatican.

June 1 - The couple embark on a tour to publicize their campaign. Countries visited include Spain, Germany, Morocco and the United States.

August 7 - Traces of blood have been found on the wall of the apartment where the girl went missing, local newspaper Diario de Noticias says.

August 11 - Portuguese police Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa tells the BBC that she may be dead.

September 7 - Police name Kate and Gerry McCann as suspects, but bring no charges.

September 9 - The couple fly back to Britain with their twins.

October 2 - Goncalo Amaral, the detective leading the investigation, is removed from the case.

October 9 - His replacement is named as senior officer Paulo Rebelo.

October 24 - Spanish TV broadcasts an interview with Gerry and Kate McCann. They describe claims they drugged their daughter as "outrageous".

December 22 - Gerry and Kate McCann issue a Christmas message urging their daughter to "be brave".