A new lead has emerged in the hunt for the killer of schoolgirl Sarah Payne.

A replica of the Fred Perry-style dress the eight-year-old was wearing when she was abducted was put on display by Sussex police last week. Since then a number of sightings of a large blue t-shirt or child's dress have been reported in a lane in West Sussex.

The possible sightings were all in Emms Lane, in the hamlet of Brooks Green, near Barns Green, which was searched by police this week.

The lane is approximately five miles north of Pulborough where Sarah's body was found and just north of Coolham where Sarah's shoe was discovered.

Police are now hoping to trace anyone who removed the clothing from the area or may know its whereabouts.

Det Supt Alan Ladley said: "The recovery of Sarah's dress is absolutely crucial to this inquiry and we need to hear from anyone who may have seen this particular clothing in or near Emms Lane.

"It could be that someone may have innocently cleared it away from the roadside but whatever the circumstances of its disappearance the importance of finding this dress cannot be overstated."