The detective leading the hunt for the killer of Sarah Payne said today he was "desperate" to hear from a lorry driver who could have vital information.

The driver officers want to hear from was at the wheel of a white 7.5 tonne curtain-sided lorry which had a 4ft motif of a tyre and spanner on its rear bodywork.

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

At a news conference today at Devon and Cornwall police HQ in Exeter, Detective Superintendent Peter Kennett, appealed for information from anyone who might recognise the lorry's motif.

Sarah, eight, was reported missing on July 1 on a country lane close to her grandparents' house in Kingston, East Preston.

At about 10.30pm that night the 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, West Sussex, near where Sarah's naked body was found on July 17.

Police investigating the abduction and murder have been appealing for information about a white van since Sarah went missing.

Mr Kennett said today the van pulled out from the exact place where Sarah's body was later found, and was only using side lights.

The driver police want to hear from was travelling north along the A29 from Fontwell.

Mr Kennett said: "The lorry driver could be a vital witness to what has happened, and we desperately need to speak to that person."

He said nationwide inquiries about the lorry had drawn a blank, adding: "We cannot find the lorry driver or the company."

His "greatest dream" was that the lorry driver has written the number of the white van on a cigarette packet.

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