The man accused of the kidnap and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne appeared in court today amid tight security.

Mechanic Roy Whiting, 42, formerly of St Augustine Road, Littlehampton, was remanded in custody when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court this morning.

Whiting is accused of abducting Sarah near her grandparents' home in Kingston Gorse, East Preston, on July 1 last year and later murdering her.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges on his last appearance in court.

Judge Richard Brown said the trial would start at Lewes on November 13.

Sarah's parents, Sara and Michael Payne, 32, of Hersham, Surrey, were in court.