Sarah tributes swept away

Council workers removed the tributes on Sunday night

Tributes laid by members of the public in memory of the murdered eight-year-old Sarah Payne have been cleared away.

Thousands left flowers and other tributes by the side of the A29 at Pulborough, West Sussex, near where Sarah's naked body was discovered.

Sarah's family paid a final, private visit to the spot before the tributes were cleared away on Sunday evening.

Sarah Payne: Hunt for her killer continues

Her parents Sara and Michael gathered tributes to take home while their children carried away toys and flowers.

The family are considering using the toys and other tributes in the memorial service they are planning for Sarah.

It is understood the toys will then be distributed to hospitals and other worthy causes.

Sarah's parents made a final visit to the tributes

Detective Sergeant Sean Scott, one of the family's liaison officers, said the family wanted to make their farewell visit in private and had requested that they were not filmed or photographed.

The dead flowers by the roadside were removed late on Sunday night and destroyed.

Detectives are continuing to search the back roads and ditches in the area to try and find the clothes Sarah was wearing when she was snatched.