The family of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne yesterday said a final goodbye to their "little princess" almost two months after she was abducted.
A cortege of 21 family members walked behind the eight-year-old's coffin before the funeral at St Peter's Church in Hersham, Surrey, and then on to a private burial at nearby Burvale cemetery.
The funeral was a chance for the Payne family to say a private goodbye after two months in the media spotlight during the murder hunt.
But hundreds of well-wishers lined the route to the church in silent tribute as the horse-drawn Victorian glass carriage bore the white coffin to the service.
The graveside was virtually hidden by bouquets from family, friends, Sarah's schools and other mourners, and other bouquets were left at the cemetery gates by well-wishers.
Sarah's sister Charlotte (6) clutched her mother's hand as they made the mile-long walk from their Hersham home to the 19th century church.
Mourners packed a field opposite the church to listen to the service broadcast over loudspeakers, in which Mrs Payne (31) paid a moving tribute to her "perfect" daughter.
Her teacher at Burhill School told of the ever-smiling, generous and loving girl who had flown into her mother's arms at the end of every school day.
Sarah was abducted on July 1st near her grandparents' home in Kingston, West Sussex. Police yesterday issued an urgent appeal for information about the blue dress Sarah was wearing when she went missing after walkers reported seeing a blue dress in a country lane.
Mr Ladley said three walkers had come forward since police revealed a replica dress last week to say they had seen a similar dress in Emms Lane in Brooks Green, just a mile from where Sarah's shoe was found in a hedge in the village of Coolham, West Sussex.
The area has been searched since but police said it could have been moved innocently, and appealed for more information.