THE parents of Madeleine McCann are in discussions with American and British broadcasters about producing a documentary film to raise awareness about child trafficking in Europe.

The documentary, which would feature Gerry and Kate McCann, Madeleine’s parents, would draw attention to the lack of a Europe-wide alert system for missing children. The couple would request a “donation” to the Find Madeleine appeal fund in exchange for their involvement.

The couple have also been approached by chat show stars Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters for an exclusive interview.Their spokesman yesterday insisted the offer had been rejected because they are still official suspects. He denied reports that they had discussed a £1m deal.

The McCanns have been forced to consider bids for documentaries and interviews because their £1.2m Find Madeleine appeal is expected to run dry by June. Metodo 3, the Spanish detective agency hired to search for their daughter, is costing £50,000 a month.

They were given a boost in November when the production company behind a Panorama documentary agreed to pay about £10,000 for exclusive footage of the couple taken by Jon Corner, a family friend, while they were still in Portugal.

Corner is donating any money he receives for “licensing rights” to the Madeleine fund. He said: “We need to sustain the cost of the search for Madeleine. All money I receive from the broadcast itself will go straight back into the fund.”

The couple are now in discussions with ABC, the American television network, about producing a documentary film. Clarence Mitchell, their spokesman, said: “We have had discussions with ABC which went way back. We told them that we are more likely to do a longer term documentary based on issues, such as the lack of an emergency response system in Europe.

“Our priority at the end of the day is the search for Madeleine. We are spending a lot of money at the moment, and like anything else it needs replenishing. Some of the material is very valuable. If we do long-term films, documentaries or book ideas, big things that require more access, then we might consider a contribution would be fair and relevant.”

As suspects, the McCanns are barred by strict Portuguese secrecy laws from discussing any aspect of the case itself, including the events of the night of May 3 when Madeleine vanished from their apartment in Praia da Luz on the Algarve.

The couple last week released an artist’s impression of a man they believe may be linked to Madeleine’s disappearance. The McCanns’ campaign team have since received more than 100 calls with “real information” about the man, and are hopeful of identifying him soon.

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