Police hunting missing Sarah Payne today staged a reconstruction of her last-known movements.

It took place in wheat fields at West Kingston, near Ferring, where the eight-year-old was last seen with her brothers and sister six days ago.

Officers were also expecting the first results from forensic tests carried out in the home of a man in his forties from Littlehampton who was arrested and released on police bail earlier in the week.

The reconstruction was staged to get the public's help in identifying a white Transit van and silver saloon car seen by Sarah's 13-year-old brother Lee.

The four children, Sarah, Lee, Luke and Charlotte were played by Samantha, 12, Robert 13, Richard 11 and Nicola ten.

They are from two families who live in the Littlehampton area. The re-enactment demonstrated how Sarah had left the others after falling over and hurting her face during a game of dinosaurs.

She decided to return to her grandparents' house up the lane and was initially followed across the field by Lee.

But her older brother went back to the others because he heard his baby sister Charlotte crying after she too had hurt herself.

It was then that Sarah disappeared from view along the lane. She has not been seen since.

Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse, who spent four hours at the search scene the day after Sarah disappeared, spoke to the young actors during today's reconstruction.

He is being regularly informed of any major developments and the family has praised the force for its efforts.

Mr Whitehouse said: "This is a magnificent effort, not just by Sussex Police but by the public as a whole.

"Last night, for instance, we had 200 calls in four hours from people wanting to help.

"I am still optimistic -it is pointless being anything else - and I would reiterate the appeal for anyone seeing Sarah or anyone with information to contact us immediately."

Today children in the area were being reminded of the danger of going off with strangers.

A schools liaison officer made a routine visit to Elm Grove School, Littlehampton, and showed a video to a class of infants.

PC John Russell said the children had asked about missing Sarah and had been "realistic" about her situation.

"Despite the events of the last week - and Sarah's very much in the thoughts and prayers of local school children - I always try and give children confidence in dealing with situations as they start to grow up and become independent. And that could mean talking to strangers.

"There's a lot of good people in this area and we don't want to give the message to children that they can't talk to grown-ups.

"But we've also got another message and that is to say no to strangers.

"Hopefully that will keep them safe in times of potential adversity."

The Argus is offering a £5,000 reward for information leading to Sarah's safe return.