The mother of Sarah Payne, the schoolgirl abducted and murdered in Sussex in July 2000, is delighted to be expecting another child.

Sara Payne, 34, said she and husband Michael were initially stunned by the news.

She told a national newspaper they had been confused, adding "Obviously it is a strange time for us both, considering what happened to Sarah."

But she added: "We are absolutely delighted now that we have got our heads around this.

"It is a new baby and a new life, and I know that Sarah will be wearing her biggest grin and hopefully will send us a rainbow."

Sarah, eight, disappeared while playing near her grandparents' home at Kingston Gorse, East Preston. Her body was found in a field near Pulborough 17 days later.

Roy Whiting - who already had a conviction for child abduction - was sentenced to life in prison for Sarah's murder in 2001.

Sara and Michael Payne, who live in Hersham, Surrey, campaigned tirelessly following their daughter's murder in a bid to persuade the Government to create a new law dubbed Sarah's Law - giving public access to the Sex Offenders' Register.

Sara insisted that the campaign for Sarah's Law would continue and confessed that it was tough seeing her other daughter Charlotte, now eight, reach Sarah's age.

Sarah's grandmother Lesley Payne, 50, said she hoped the baby would enter a safer world than the one that claimed the life of her granddaughter.

Sarah's brothers Lee, 16, Luke, 14, and Charlotte were all said to be excited and looking forward to the birth, which is due in November.