The parents of Sarah Payne have told how their 18-year marriage has been ripped apart by the stress of their daughter's murder.

Sara and Michael Payne, who are expecting their fifth child, revealed at the weekend that they are now living apart.

But they have vowed their three children, aged eight to 16, will not suffer as a result of their separation.

Sarah, eight, was abducted after playing in fields close to her grandparents' home near Littlehampton three years ago.

Her body was discovered in Pulborough 16 days later.

Convicted paedophile Roy Whiting is serving a life sentence for her murder.

Mr Payne, who is living away from the family home in Hersham, Surrey, said the events of the past three years had been "overwhelming".

He felt guilty for being unable to protect his daughter and this had put strain on his marriage.

He said: "I've a lot of anger and bitterness inside me. I'm full of guilt and rage that I wasn't there to protect my little girl from that man.

"It hurts desperately that my Sarah will be looking down knowing that her family has been ripped apart like this.

"I'm not the same person I was three years ago but there's no point in Sara and I blaming each other for the break-up of our marriage. We know that we both have our faults."

Mrs Payne said: "We know we're not the same people we once were.

"The sheer enormity of the tragedy has changed us into very different people.

"We're different in how we cope with everyday tasks, how we communicate with each other and how we're individually dealing with the grieving process."

The couple, both 34, are expecting a baby girl in November.

Mr Payne said: "Of course the birth will be an emotional and sad time for us both as we'll no longer be together as a couple. But our new baby girl will be born into a really loving family.

"Although I won't be living at home, I'll always be there for her and the others in every possible way."