The parents of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne are hopeful of getting tougher laws on paedophiles following a meeting with Home Secretary Jack Straw.

Sara and Michael Payne, both 31, met him yesterday afternoon at the House of Commons.

They emerged from the meeting clearly pleased with his position on strengthening the law for sex offenders.

Mr Payne said: "The law is going to be changed."

He is hopeful that 99 per cent of what they have called for will be addressed by the Government. He hugged his wife as they left the Commons, a sign that they believe they are close to winning their campaign.

But the couple would not say whether Mr Straw had made any commitment to introduce a "Sarah's Law" - which would mean parents were told if a paedophile was living near them.

Ministers believe access to the Sex Offenders' Register must be controlled, though the restrictions could be relaxed.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The Government is seeking advice from the police and the Probation Service on how extending the current system of controlled access might work. The Home Secretary was pleased to have the opportunity to hear from the Paynes personally."

The Home Office had already announced a review of the register before Sarah's murder in July.

Mrs Payne said the meeting with Mr Straw, which lasted more than an hour, had been "very constructive."

She added: "We have got a lot of common ground."

The Paynes will meet Home Office Minister Paul Boateng today for further discussions.

They will also present Mr Straw with a petition of more than a million signatures calling for tougher laws and sentences for paedophiles.