A petition calling for Madeleine McCann’s parents to be prosecuted for child neglect has hit more than 130,000 signatures.

The online petition, created by user Hollie Flynn, claims Kate and Gerry "left three unattended children" in a holiday apartment "to go out to socialise with their friends", maintaining: "This is neglect."

She adds: "Please sign this petition to help bring down the McCann’s for neglect that has led to the 'disappearance' of Madeleine McCann."

The McCann’s spokesman Clarence Mitchell refused to  discuss the petition saying: "There is absolutely no comment."

Madeleine disappeared in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007 aged three.

Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, have vowed to "never give up" hope of finding their daughter.

Since 2011, the Metropolitan Police have been assisting with the search for clues about what happened to the youngster, with officers visiting the holiday resort in 2014.