Sarah's mother 'confident' over find

Police believe the latest find is a breakthrough

The mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne is "very positive" after police said the shoe found recently is likely to be her daughter's.

Police say they are confident that a single black shoe and torn fragment of blue dress material, found in a hedgerow near to where Sarah's body was found, belonged to the eight-year-old.

Fred Perry-style dress and Ladybird shoes similar to those worn by Sarah

They were found last month at Goose Green crossroads, south of Coolham, about one mile from where Sarah's body was found in West Sussex in July.

Sara Payne, 31, said she had known for some time of the find, which was only made public on Saturday.

She said: "There have been other finds before, something like 40 shoes and 50 pieces of material. With each one you always hold out hope but this does seem very positive."

Sussex Police are awaiting results from forensic tests on the velcro-fastening shoe and scrap of material.

Sarah Payne's death remains a mystery

Damage to both items, possibly by a hedge trimmer, combined with exposure to the elements makes it unlikely any DNA evidence remains, police say.

However, they are calling the discovery a "significant" breakthrough in their four-month investigation.

Detective Superintendent Peter Kennett said: "I am confident that the material does come from Sarah's dress and that the shoe also belongs to her.

Her mother Sara Payne is confident of a breakthrough

"Obviously that is an assumption before we get the results back from the forensic tests."

But he said: "It is really good news and it is basically another piece in the jigsaw. I have always been confident that we will catch Sarah's killer and this is just another step forward."

Mrs Payne said she remained hopeful the killer would be caught and she repeated appeals for anyone with information to contact police.

"We just need someone to come forward. It is difficult to know for certain whether there is somebody out there who knows who the killer is but people do talk so it remains a possibility."