The mother of eight-year-old Sarah Payne last night urged MPs to back a proposed law giving parents the right to know where paedophiles live.

Sara Payne has campaigned for "Sarah's Law" since her daughter was killed last July.

The schoolgirl had vanished while playing near her grandparents' house in Kingston Gorse, East Preston.

In an emotional address to MPs at a House of Commons reception, Mrs Payne said she was going through a difficult time but that the prospect of a new law gave her strength to carry on.

Campaigners want Sarah's Law to mean parents have a right to controlled access to information about individuals in their neighbourhood, including convicted child sex offenders who may post a risk to their children.

The campaign also stresses that there must be severe penalties for any person who abuses access to this information.

Earlier this month a 42-year-old man appeared at Lewes Crown Court charged with Sarah's kidnap and murder.