A shrine dedicated to the memory of Sarah Payne is growing by the hour.

Thousands of mourners made the journey from across the country to lay flowers and mementos by the side of the busy A29 trunk road near Pulborough, yards from the spot where the naked eight-year-old was found.

The scene recalled the death of Diana, Princess of Wales: people united in grief to pay their last respects. Visitors fought back tears as they were struck by the tragedy.

Stopping to hug each other or link hands, mourners walked the length of the wall of flowers crying quietly and whispering. Pointing out particularly poignant messages and bouquets, they soaked up the sombre silence with lumps in their throats.

Traffic which usually thunders along the A29 slowed to a crawl as if to acknowledge the aura of sadness surrounding the spot.

Several police officers took a break from their intensive search for clues to look at the growing mound of touching tributes.

Pippa Hannard, of Chichester police, has been searching since Sarah went missing on July 1 and has been part of the team scouring every inch of the spot where her body was discovered.

She said: "The reality of what has happened is still sinking in. You see this sort of thing on television but hope never to be involved. It's horrendous."

Her colleague, Pete Richardson, said: "It's terrible. It never leaves you. I go home at night wondering if we have missed anything.

"All day we are concentrating really hard because we don't want to miss the smallest piece of evidence. We all want the person who did this caught."

Messages range from a few simple handwritten words to pages of typed letters of comfort.

They all offer words of support for the Payne family and many mention a determination to catch the killer.

One read: "Sleep peacefully little angel. All we can ask is why? God bless you and your family."

Another: "Earth has lost a little sweet pea; heaven has gained a sweet little rose."

One teddy bear had the attached note written in disjointed child's handwriting: "Darling Sarah, a teddy to cuddle while you sleep."

A piece of paper had one simple word written in bold black felt pen with the question on the nation's lips: "Why?"

The children and staff at nearby St Mary's School in Pulborough sent a message of love with their flowers. It read: "Dear God, please help Sarah's family get through this painful time.

"Help them rebuild their lives, please look after her family and look after Sarah in heaven. Amen. You are all in our thoughts and prayers."

Children have drawn pictures for Sarah, some with love hearts coloured in red crayon.

Mother-of-four Gill Kovacs, 46, of Kingsland, Worthing, fought back tears when she saw the shrine.

She said: "We have brought a couple of bears for Sarah in her memory. All the local mums are really worried that a murderer is still on the loose. Whoever did this must be made to pay."

Gill Goldsmith, 37, of Southfields Road, Worthing, said: "I used to play in the field in Kingston Gorse as a child where Sarah went missing. It is just too close to home."

Officers at Horsham police station left a bouquet at the scene.

The message read: "Little princess. You have touched our hearts. Always in our thoughts. Bless you.

Another said: "Sarah, I am so sorry for what has happened. I can't imagine what your mum and dad and your two brothers and your sister are going through.

"I don't believe in God and Jesus, but I do know someone or something is looking after you up there."