A giant 5ft high photograph of murdered Sarah Payne will be placed at the altar for her memorial service tomorrow.

Thousands are expected to attend, including coachloads of Sussex Police officers.

Loudspeakers will relay the service to people unable to get inside Guildford Cathedral.

The eight-year-old's parents, Sara and Michael, said: "We do not want it to be sad but more a celebration of Sarah's life."

Sara said: "We want her remembered as she was - a happy, giggly little girl, full of life.

"She loved singing and made up her own songs. She was also polite and sensitive to other people's feelings.

"We are not especially religious but Sarah was a Christian and went to church. She often spoke about Jesus and would argue with her brother Luke about the Darwin theory of evolution."

Some of the songs Sarah would sing at home will be sung at the service: Lord Of The Dance, All Things Bright And Beautiful and Morning Has Broken.

Her father said: "She just loved singing those hymns."

Sarah's grandfather, Terry, said he hoped thousands of people would attend the 2pm service. He said: "Everyone is welcome, especially all those people who have helped us. In a way I hope Guildford comes to a standstill."

The service will be conducted by the Bishop of Dorking and two members of Sarah's family will be paying tributes, her uncle, Keith Payne, and her aunt, Fiona Crook.

Meanwhile, more than 5,000 cards and letters of sympathy have arrived at the grandparents' home in Kingston Gorse, East Preston, close to where Sarah was kidnapped at the beginning of July.

Her naked body was found on farmland off the A29 near Pulborough.

Messages have come from Britain and around the world including Japan, the Falkland Islands, South Africa, North America and Australia, and one arrived from a woman in Iraq.

A box full of letters is still arriving every day.

Sarah's grandmother, Lesley, has stayed awake through the night reading every one.

One woman from Scotland wrote: "It has been one of the most testing times for my family. It is so hard to understand why a little, wee girl can't play safely in a cornfield.

"We know your little princess is safe with other angels. She will be remembered by millions."

Michael and Sara said they would be replying to as many messages as possible but it could take several years.

Sara thanked everyone: "We would not be standing here today without the support we have received from our family, the police, the media and all the members of the public."

More than 300 teddy bears and other soft toys laid at a shrine on the A29 now fill the family home. They will eventually go to the Miracles charity, which will distribute them to needy children.

She paid special tributes to Sussex Police liaison officers Detective Sergeant Sean Scott and Detective Constable Dave Dowell for their support.

After the service the Payne family will return to the campaign for a "Sarah's Law" which would enable the public to view a register of sex offenders' names.