Payne to fight child safety cuts

The mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne has vowed to fight austerity cuts affecting child protection - just months after recovering from a life-threatening stroke.

Sara Payne, who was given a 50-50 chance of surviving a massive brain seizure a year ago, said cash-saving measures would undo the good work already done to protect youngsters.

She criticised the government for targeting the public rather than criminals when it came to budget cuts.

"There will be cutbacks - but what cost can you put on the protection of children?" she said.

Ms Payne, who had to learn to talk and walk again after her stroke, said she wants a meeting with Home Secretary Theresa May to discuss the future of the threatened Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.

She also vowed to fight to save the Forensic Science Service - which helped convict the man who killed Sarah in 2000.