Surrey - A funeral date for the murdered schoolgirl, Sarah Payne, has been arranged for later this month, it was revealed yesterday.
The eight-year-old's body has yet to be released by the West Sussex coroner but her family are said to be keen to press ahead with plans for the service.
The funeral is to be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 31st at St Peter's Church in Hersham, Surrey, just metres from the youngster's former school, the church's vicar confirmed yesterday.
The Rev Nick Whitehead said arrangements for the service had yet to be confirmed but said it would be followed by a private burial at Burvale Cemetery.
Funeral director Ms Gina McKinley said arrangements were being made for Sarah's white coffin to be transported in a Victorian glass carriage drawn by four grey horses.
Detectives said yesterday that there was no forensic evidence to show whether the youngster had been the victim of a sex attack but said they could not rule out the possibility.