Public mourns murdered Sarah

A policeman consoles a member of the public leaving a tribute

Floral tributes have been building up at the scene in West Sussex where the body of murdered eight-year-old Sarah Payne was found.

Fifty floral bouquets, teddy bears and soft toys from local families, children and police officers were laid on the verge alongside the A29 at Pulborough.

One note said: "We never met you but we won't forget you."

Sarah's naked body was found in undergrowth in a field on Monday, 10 miles from where she disappeared on 1 July.

We never met you but we won't forget you

Tribute to Sarah

Police launched a murder hunt after the body was officially identified on Tuesday.

Sarah's parent's Michael and Sara and her grandfather Terry also laid flowers when they visited the field on Tuesday.

They stayed for 20 minutes and left a bunch of long-stemmed pink lilies - Sarah's favourite flowers.

'Devastated'

They also thanked and spoke with the officers involved in the search team for their efforts in trying to solve Sarah's murder.

Chief inspector Mike Alderson said the visit was part of the family's grieving process.

"You cannot imagine how terrible it is for them," he said. "Obviously it was very emotional."

David Sutton: "Pupils are devastated"

Children at Sarah's school in Surrey are coming to terms with the news.

David Sutton, headteacher at Bell Farm School, Hersham, said they were devastated.

"We have been preparing for it for two weeks but still so many of them were so upset," he said.

Missing clothes

"We have all prayed regularly at assembly both for Sarah and for strength for her parents and brothers and sister."

Assistant chief constable of Sussex police Nigel Yeo had earlier said that evidence showed Sarah's body had lain undiscovered in the field since the weekend she went missing.

Her body was naked and the clothes she had been wearing - a blue dress and black shoes - were missing.

Chief Inspector Mike Alderson with clothes similar to ones Sarah was wearing

Mr Yeo refused to say whether Sarah had been sexually assaulted.

Police have provided replicas of the dark blue Fred Perry-style sports dress and black shoes Sarah was wearing in the hope that someone may recognise them.

Mr Yeo said police would be concentrating their murder inquiry on the Sussex area.

He renewed his appeal to anyone who had any information regarding the area on the A29 where Sarah's body was discovered and anybody who had seen a white van.

A white transit-type van was seen in the area where Sarah disappeared by her elder brother Lee.

Police had a massive response from the public in their search for Sarah, taking more than 21,000 calls.

They believed the schoolgirl was abducted after she left her two brothers and sister who had been playing in a field.