The killing of Sarah Payne shocked the nation

The schoolgirl was kidnapped by paedophile Roy Whiting while playing with her brothers and sister in West Sussex.

Parents Sara and Michael Payne blamed the aftermath of coping with the trauma of the murder for their decision to split.

Mrs Payne, who is five-and-a-half months pregnant with another daughter, told the News of the World: "We know we're not the same people we once were - and everyone knows the awful reason why.

"We have done everything possible to stick together through the most horrific ordeal any parent can imagine. It's changed us into different people.

"Even walking down the street or in a supermarket, people will stare or point at us. We know they generally mean well but it's still difficult.

"Mike and I both focused so hard on trying to build normality back into our family, we ended up forgetting we had a marriage that needed looking after too."

'Guilt and rage'

Mr Payne, who has moved out of the family home in Hersham, Surrey, said he felt guilty for being unable to prevent the murder and that these feelings had harmed his marriage.

"I've a lot of anger and bitterness inside me. I'm full of guilt and rage that I wasn't there to protect my little girl from that man," he said.

"Sara and I now need time apart to rebuild our lives which have been dreadfully affected by all that's happened."

The couple, both 34, have three other children - Lee, 16, Luke, 14, and eight-year-old Charlotte.

Whiting is currently serving life in prison for the murder.