BELGIAN prosecutors today said a DNA sample taken from a restaurant where a woman reported seeing Madeleine McCann was not linked to the missing toddler.

Forensic tests on a milkshake bottle revealed the DNA was that of a man.

But spokeswoman Katja Vandoren said: "This does not mean Maddie's presence is ruled out.

"The possibility exists that the drink was finished by the man who was with the little girl."

A child therapist was "100% sure" she saw Madeleine, who was abducted from the Algarve on May 3, at a restaurant in Tongeren, near the Dutch border, on July 28.

The witness said the girl was with a Dutch man and an English-speaking woman, who were acting strangely and not like "normal parents".

The tests were carried out on a milkshake bottle left on a table outside the restaurant.

Ms Vandoren said the DNA profile had been checked with Belgian and Dutch central DNA databases and had not found any matches.

Police are still trying to trace a black Volvo used by the couple and the toddler.

There have been at least two previous reported sightings of four-year-old Madeleine in Belgium this summer.

Other sightings have been reported in several other European countries and Morocco.

Meanwhile, suspected traces of blood found in the McCanns' holiday apartment in Praia da Luz were due to arrive in Britain today for tests.

Portuguese newspapers reported yesterday that detectives suspect Madeleine was not abducted but died in the apartment.

Today mum Kate McCann declined to discuss emerging details of the inquiry, including the tests on the suspected blood traces and the possible sighting in Belgium.