Sara Payne is four-and-a-half-months pregnant

Sara Payne, 34, is four-and-a-half months pregnant.

Her father Terry said on Sunday the whole family would rally round Mrs Payne and her husband Michael.

Their eight-year-old daughter Sarah was murdered in July 2000 by paedophile Roy Whiting, who was jailed for life.

The Paynes, who live in Hersham, Surrey, announced in May that they were expecting another baby.

In many ways it would have been easier if it had been a boy Sara Payne

The News of the World reported on Sunday the couple had been told they were having a girl by doctors at St Peter's Hospital in nearby Chertsey, where murdered Sarah was also born.

Mrs Payne told the newspaper: "My husband Mike and I feel a bit confused.

"Although we're thrilled to be having a baby we need to get used to the idea we're having another girl.

"In many ways it would have been easier if it had been a boy.

"I'm worried we'll be too over protective."

Her father Terry Payne, still lives in East Preston, West Sussex, just yards from where Whiting snatched his granddaughter in 2000.

Sarah Payne was eight when she was murdered in July 2000

Mr Payne said it was "great news" that his daughter was expecting a girl.

He said: "It was not planned but it's happened now and Sara and Mike are just getting used to it.

"It's going to be very loved, they will not keep anything back from the child.

"She will not understand what has happened until she is older of course but when she starts asking who that little girl is on the wall who she has never seen, they will tell her I am sure.

"We will give them all the support we need, we're all very happy about it."