An area to the west of Portuguese resort Praia Da Luz has been sealed off this morning as the search for Madeleine McCann continues. British officers have travelled to Praia da Luz to assist members of the Portuguese police force at the search area, 300 metres from where the McCann family were staying at the Ocean Club apartments. This search marks an important development in the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance from Praia da Luz while on holiday with her family in May 2007. It is believed the investigation of the scrubland will involve ground penetrating radar equipment and digging may also take place. Police were seen unloading equipment from vans at the search area when they arrived at around 11.15am this morning, according to Sky News. The area cordoned off this morning has been searched before but the equipment used in this search can identify if the ground has been disturbed as far back as seven years ago. Former Metropolitan Police search adviser Keith Farquharson told Sky News: "They wouldn't just be identifying that part by plucking it out of thin air they have obviously got hard information and the evidence trail is leading to that particular area."