More than 8,000 bunches of flowers laid at the roadside shrine to schoolgirl Sarah Payne have been recycled and turned into compost, it has been revealed.

The news came on the day a man being questioned in connection with the murder hunt was released without charge on police bail.

Roy Whiting, 41, was arrested at Crawley yesterday but released after 24 hours.

He has now been returned to the Prison Service which is holding him on remand pending a court appearance on an unrelated charge.

The removal of the tributes was organised by Horsham Council at the request of Sussex Police and took place overnight on Sunday.

For more than two weeks, members of the public had laid gifts at the roadside.

During that period, Sarah's family visited the shrine, which many compared to the floral tribute in London after Princess Diana's death.

During a press conference following a visit to the shrine, the family thanked people for displaying their sorrow and said they had been comforted by the sight. The flowers, together with cards and toys, were left at the spot on the A20 near Pulborough where eight-year-old Sarah's naked body was found.

Horsham Council spokesman Martin Wright said it took from 10pm to 2.30am to clear the site, following discussions and agreement with Sarah's parents Michael and Sara Payne.

Four trucks made two journeys each with the flowers which were taken to a private recycling company in Henfield.

Mr Wright said pot plants and fresh flowers were removed and given to the family.

Many of the teddy bears and soft toys were bagged up. It is believed some will be on display at the memorial service for Sarah to be held at Guildford Cathedral on August 12. Sarah's family have asked for the event to be an occasion to celebrate their daughter's life rather than her tragic death.

The police said some of the toys may eventually be donated to children's hospitals and similar places.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said; "It was all handled very sensitively."