Here is a selection of messages from people from across the world who have written to express their sympathy and sadness to the eight-year-old's family.

DAVID GOLD, HIGH STREET, BRIGHTON: Words cannot adequately express the sorrow of anyone who has followed this story from the beginning. Whoever is responsible for this wicked and evil act is plainly not human and I hope the police will be given every assistance in searching for her killer.

When the person or persons are found, I hope that the full force of the law will be used to ensure that this cannot happen to another vulnerable, defenceless little child.

I hope that one day Sarah's family will be able to live their lives again, but let nobody ever forget that this little child died because society failed to protect her. We must not fail again.

JOYCE POWELL, RINGMER ROAD, WEST WORTHING: A little girl we've never met touched our hearts and how we wept. Our hopes and wishes were in vain and lives will never be the same. Her family's memories of past pleasures will be their lifelong thoughts to treasure. Millions will never forget the name or the smiling face of Sarah Payne.

PETER TURNER, BRIGHTON: The stench of traffic zooming. Replaced by fragrance of flowers, blooming. Bunch upon bunch piled high, with messages of love. For dear little Sarah, now up above. In that city of the sky. The traffic slows to gentle pace, tears run down a saddened face. People ask why, oh why?

I will remember you for evermore, the sweetest flower one ever saw, until the day I die. It is so very sad, a shame. That ma and pa kiss you in a picture frame. Now their little flower, bye bye.

ANON: Like so many others we wanted to write and, in some small way, express our sorrow felt for you all following the tragic news about Sarah.

Like so many others we followed every piece of news relating to Sarah's disappearance and, on hearing the news on Tuesday that the little girl found was your little princess, our own sorrow must have only been a fraction of what you all felt and are feeling now.

We all have admired your strength, determination and courage throughout this whole ordeal and hope that somehow, some way, that same strength, determination and courage stays with you until the evil filth that has turned your lives upside down are tracked down and made to pay for what has happened.

With the continued love and support of Sussex Police, your own families and the entire nation we hope that one day you will be able to carry on with your lives, be it they will never, ever be the same again.

Our only wish now is that Sussex Police track down the filth who so cruelly cut short Sarah's young life and ruined the lives of her entire family. We are certain that they will have determination too.

We hope, through the many letters and cards you receive, you are able to see there are still an awful lot of decent human beings left in this world today. God bless you all.

DIANA LIGHTFOOT, 1120 HOMER STREET, LOGAN, OHIO, USA, 431138: Just learned of your tragic loss, and wanted to offer my deepest sympathies. As a mother, I know that this is every parent's worst fear. I truly feel for your loss. I hope it will help you in some small way to know that there are others in this world who care.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, now and for the hard road you have yet to face. May God give you the strength to continue, as He needed your precious daughter with Him.

Please feel free to contact me if there is anything I can do for you.

TONY LEVINE: It's hard to explain why this tragedy has caused me such sadness. Maybe it's because I'm an ex-Brightonian and the names of the places are so familiar, or maybe it's touched me in a way I still don't understand.

Sadly, the callous taking of a life is not new; even the taking of a life so young and precious.

The only thought that I have is that, along with so many others, it became a personal involvement.

Alleged sightings along the motorway encouraged the hope that it would, somehow, still end up with a good outcome. It wasn't to be; and my heart goes out to the family and the police.

All that's left is a sincere hope - no, it's a sincere belief - that the maniac who did this will be found.

OLIVE STEER: I just had to write to say I have been thinking of you and your family. How brave you are, may God bring you peace and happiness for the future. Sarah is with the angels now, God bless you all MAUREEN: You are now in the arms of Jesus, one of his little angels.

B HART AND FAMILY, PETWORTH ROAD, PATCHAM: As a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, I send love and condolences from all my family. Our thoughts and wishes for strength to see you through this awful time come from us to you all.