The farmer claiming compensation for damage caused to crops during the search for Sarah Payne has pledged to give the cash to a fund for the murdered eight-year-old.

Paul Langmead, of Roundstone Farm, Ferring, near Worthing, issued a statement after the Argus revealed he was seeking up to £10,000 from Sussex Police.

Some police who took part in the searches near Sarah's grandparents' home in Peak Lane, Kingston Gorse, reacted with disbelief at the timing of Mr Langmead's claim, just days after Sarah's naked body was found.

But the farmer insisted his actions were entirely proper.

In a written statement handed out by a woman who refused to give her name, he said: "I am upset that someone within Sussex Police has seen fit to publicise the fact that I notified the police of the damage done to crops on my farm in the course of the search for Sarah Payne.

"I and my farm staff have been deeply distressed by the tragic disappearance and murder of Sarah.

"However, we cannot afford to ignore the fact that, through no fault of the police, many thousands of pounds' worth of damage have been done to our crops during the course of the searches for Sarah.

"It is entirely proper that the police should have been notified promptly that a quantified claim would be submitted in due course so that they, or their insurers, could make their own assessment of the damage.

"I want to conclude this statement by conveying our deepest sympathy to the Payne family and to express the hope that Sussex Police find Sarah's murderer as soon as possible.

"It goes without saying that I and my farm staff will continue to help the police in every possible way during the weeks ahead and any compensation received from Sussex Police will be donated to the Sarah Payne Fund."

Police confirmed last night that there was no official fund for Sarah, although they are accepting donations which will be passed on to her family. They have said they will spend it on her funeral or a holiday for her brothers, Lee, 13, and Luke, 11, and her six-year-old sister, Charlotte.

But Sarah's grieving parents, Sara and Michael, were said to be distressed by the claim.

Sara's brother, Paul Williams, said: "I took part in the searches and everyone, police and the public, was very careful not to damage the crops.

"Sara, Michael, Terry and Lesley (Sarah's grandparents) and myself are upset about this."

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Sussex Police have received a claim for compensation and we have asked for clarification.

Today villagers will hold a minute's silence at the start of the annual duck race in Pulborough, near where Sarah's body was discovered on Monday.