Sarah's parents want Blair's help

Sarah's parents met News of the World executives

The parents of murdered eight-year-old Sarah Payne have said they want Tony Blair to personally support the campaign for "Sarah's Law", which aims for tighter laws on policing paedophiles.

Their call for the prime minister's backing comes in the News of the World two days after the newspaper suspended its controversial policy to "name and shame" child sex offenders.

The paper has received widespread criticism over its publication of the photographs and locations of convicted paedophiles.

If there is anything I can do for you, let me know

PM Tony Blair

But in Sunday's edition, the paper refused to apologise for its actions.

"We had another 100 names of convicted paedophiles ready to publish today. But we will put them on hold while the battle for the new law continues," it said in an editorial.

"We will not rest until the new measures are enshrined in law."

300,000 signatures

Michael and Sara Payne visited the paper's offices on Saturday with their children to discuss the campaign for "Sarah's Law".

They were shown some of the 300,000 petition slips returned by readers.

'Sarah's Law' petition

Give everyone the right to know the identity of convicted child sex offenders in their area

Ensure a life sentence means life

The Paynes revealed they had received a letter of condolence from Tony Blair, shortly after the tragedy.

He wrote: "If there is anything I can do for you, let me know."

"It so happens that there is something very important he can do," Sara Payne said.

"And he can do it not only for us but for every parent in the country. I know he is a man of his word and does his best to keep his promises.

"So I hope he will keep this one and gives us and the News of the World the support we need to make Sarah's Law come true," she added.

The couple hope to meet Mr Blair after his holiday.

Risks to children

The government has said it will give urgent and serious consideration to the proposals.

But concern is already being expressed by child experts and politicians about releasing details of convicted child sex offenders to the public.

In the Independent on Sunday, David Niven, chief executive of Action on Child Exploitation, said he did not think "Sarah's Law" would work.

"I'm not convinced we've got to the right level of education and understanding in the community to not have a lot of people hurt by mistake," he said.

Several innocent people have been mistaken for paedophiles after the name and shame campaign.

Home Office minister Paul Boateng told the BBC free access to a public child sex offender register was not the solution.

"Specific names and addresses can only be released where police and probation service working together deem it proper," he said.

Michael Howard: Change could increase risks for children

Former home secretary Michael Howard said the issue of a public register was considered "very carefully" by Conservatives when they introduced the current sex offender register in 1997.

He told BBC Radio Five Live that the public emotion following the murder of Sarah Payne should not be ignored.

But he warned a register risked vigilante attacks - which "no civilised society could tolerate" - and could lead fewer offenders to comply with registration requirements.

The paper wants its suggestions for "Sarah's Law" - planned in conjunction with the child protection agency the NSPCC, the police and the probation service - to come into force by the end of the year.