About 50 people have contacted police in response to a new appeal for information in the hunt for the killer of Sarah Payne.

The Sussex detective leading the murder team, Detective Superintendent Peter Kennett, said yesterday he was "desperate" to hear from a lorry driver who could have crucial information about a white van seen near where her body was dumped.

The driver was at the wheel of a white 7.5 tonne curtain-sided lorry, with a 4ft tyre and spanner motif on its rear bodywork.

There was yellow and blue writing above and below the motif, and it was believed the word "Exeter" also appeared.

A police spokesman said information from callers about the motif was being analysed by the murder team today.

He added: "We are still appealing for the driver of this vehicle to come forward."

Sarah went missing on July 1 near her grandparents' house in Kingston Gorse, East Preston.

At about 10.30pm that night the lorry driver police want to talk to had to brake sharply after a white van pulled out of a side road on the A29 at Pulborough, near where Sarah's naked body was found on July 17.

Police have been appealing for information about a white van since Sarah went missing.

Anyone with information should contact Sussex police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.