For Sarah's grandmother, the scene was almost too much to bear and she broke down.

The family clutched each other and the flowers they had brought to add to the carpet of blooms which has taken over the grass verge bordering the field, near Brinsbury College, Pulborough, where Sarah lay for nearly two weeks.

The bouquets and toys stretch for around 20 yards - an impromptu out-pouring of sympathy and grief from the shocked local community.

With the strength and courage they have shown throughout their ordeal, the small group walked the length of the tributes.

Tears flowed as they spent almost 20 minutes picking up bouquets, reading messages on cards and speaking with some of the dozens of local people who had flocked to the site.

But no member of the family was left to cope alone. Husband comforted wife and parent comforted child.

Each at times finding it difficult to maintain their composure in the face of their grief, the others gathered around protectively.

At one point Sarah's father clasped his hands as if in prayer and then, when his tears overtook him, covered his face with his hands.

Sarah's sister Charlotte, six, took a doll away saying: "This was for Sarah but now I am looking after it."

At one point, Mrs Payne stopped to embrace a woman in a wheelchair who was among those wanting to pay their respects.

Members of the public were moved to tears at the family's grief. Police officers were also visibly upset.

After leaving the verge, which had been piled high with flowers, the Payne children spent some time playing with the Metropolitan Police dogs in a field opposite.

Earlier Mr and Mrs Payne pleaded for help to catch their child's killer at an emotionally-charged news conference.

They said: "We've got a job now and that's to catch this person, or persons ... whoever it is has got to be stopped."

Fighting back tears, Mrs Payne said: "The family is devastated. It hasn't really sunk in yet."

She said the heartbreak the family felt was more difficult because they had not been able to say goodbye to eight-year-old Sarah properly.

"They broke my children's hearts and they could have done something about it by picking up the phone."

Mrs Payne thanked everyone who had laid cards and flowers by the side of the A29.

She said: "It's brilliant and fantastic there are so many people behind us. That is why we have got to stop this man."

The stream of people flocking to Pulborough to pay their last respects was expected to grow today. Bouquets piled on top of each other mingled with teddy bears, cuddly toys, and hundreds of poignant messages of love.

One child had cross-stitched a tapestry on a white piece of canvas: It said simply: "To Sarah."

For many the emotion was overwhelming with tears being shared. Many had to be comforted as they walked from the scene.

One message in a child's unsteady handwriting read: "To Sarah's family. If I could I would wish her back to you."

Another child had written: "To Sarah, I hope you like it in heaven."

A message from the two local churches of Billingshurst and Pulborough placed on the wall of flowers informed mourners special prayers were being said each day at noon.

Ann Wise, 52, of Southfield Road, Littlehampton, said: "It's so tragic. Somebody must be made to pay for this, and quickly."

Father-of-three John Parker, 31, of Billingshurst, said: "It could have happened to any of us, it's terrible. I just hope the killer is found soon and justice is done."

Mandy Clairmont, 25, of Tarrant Street, Arundel, clutched her eight-month-old baby, Emma, and said: "I don't know how anyone could have done this."

Hundreds of sympathy letters and cards arrived at Littlehampton police station for Sarah's grieving family.

A Sussex Police spokes- woman said: "The Post Office has been fantastic - one letter was addressed to Littlehampton police station - in Surrey."

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Worthing, Coun Ann Lynn, has sent a sympathy message to Sarah's parents and family.

It said: "On behalf of the people of Worthing I am writing to convey to you and your family our thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.

"I know the whole town has been extremely distressed by the events of the past weeks and hope you might gain some comfort from knowing that our deepest sympathy and love are with you."