Final farewell to Sarah

Horse-drawn Victorian hearse was decked with flowers

The family of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne have said a final farewell to their "little princess".

The Paynes left their home in Hersham, Surrey, walking slowly behind the horse-drawn Victorian glass hearse on their way to their eight-year-old daughter's funeral.

The service at St Peter's Church was a private affair with just family, close friends and invited guests.

So many people prayed for her safe return and were deeply saddened by her death

Rev Nick Whitehead

The schoolgirl was killed two months ago after being abducted from a field near her grandparents' home close to East Preston, West Sussex.

'Difficult days'

Rev Nick Whitehead told the congregation at the service: "Amongst so many difficult days this summer, this must surely be one of the hardest. What words can we speak in such a moment?

"We so longed for Sarah to be safe. So many people, children and adults alike prayed for her safe return and were deeply saddened by her death."

Grief-stricken: Sarah's parents

Sarah's father Michael led 21 family members in the funeral procession to the church, while his wife Sara followed, clasping their six-year-old daughter Charlotte's hand.

Their two sons, Lee, 13, and Luke, 11, were among the mourners, along with Sarah's grandparents Terry and Lesley Payne and Detective Superintendent Alan Ladley, who is leading the hunt for Sarah's killer.

Silent streets

Four grey horses with black feather plumes on their heads drew the white coffin through the silent streets of the town centre, as hundreds stood in tribute along the route.

Two hearses crammed with floral tributes from around the world led the cortege, including arrangements spelling out the words Princess, and a floral teddy bear.

Local residents and well-wishers outside the church could listen to the service broadcast outside over loudspeakers.

In church, Sarah's mother paid a moving tribute to her murdered daughter. She said: "I didn't know what to write so I just wrote to Sarah.

"Dear Sarah, ever since you came bounding into our lives at two in the morning with no phone in the house, with one tooth in your head and a smile that could melt ice, we loved you."

'Our princess'

Mrs Payne's voice trembled with emotion as she continued: "Daddy called you princess because that's just what you are."

She broke down as she told of how her sons Lee and Luke were missing their sister.

Before the reverend took his address, teacher June Whittle, who was close to Sarah, gave a personal reflection on the child's life and death.

She said: "The Sarah that we knew was always smiling, happy and chirpy, her smile was a great big sparkling smile."

A book of condolence was opened in the church for mourners and for the public to express their sorrow.

Rev Whitehead reflected on some of the memories from Sarah's short life, saying: "You get a real sense of compassion and responsibility as you listen to people speak of Sarah, the eight-year-old.

"From reading her sister Charlotte bedtime stories, sometimes making the sandwiches for school, writing notes constantly to people, ever aware of their feelings."

Reward

He then took the opportunity to thank the police and public for their help in the search for Sarah, and her killer.

"We are grateful to all those who worked so hard to find her, the police and their staff, the public who offered to help and the media who supported the effort with such care and dignity."

Police investigating Sarah's murder made a new appeal for information last week and announced a reward of £150,000.

One of the biggest manhunts ever seen in the UK was launched after Sarah went missing.

But so far there has no been no major breakthrough in the murder inquiry.