· After hurting herself Sarah decides to walk back to the house alone, and she slips into Kingston Lane through a hole in a hedge next.
· Her brother Lee tries to stop Sarah, and once on the lane notices a white van. He would later recall the driver smiling and waving at him before the vehicle speeds off.
Sunday July 2
· Police launch a search for Sarah, and that evening detectives arrest known paedophile Roy Whiting at his flat in Littlehampton. He is released on police bail after 48 hours.
Monday July 3
· Sarah's parents, Sara and Michael, make an emotional televised appeal for the return of their daughter, whom they call their "little princess".
· As the police search intensifies, a second man from the Crawley area is arrested but released without charge 48 hours later.
Wednesday July 5
· Sarah's brother takes part in an identity parade in Brighton involving Whiting and the second arrested man.
Thursday July 6
· The hunt for Sarah turns nationwide as police start tracing sex offenders across Britain.
· Sightings of the eight-year-old are reported in Lancashire and south Wales. More than 1,800 calls have already been received from members of the public.
· Sara Payne makes a further television appearance, saying to her missing daughter: "You will be home soon, you really will - someone's going to tell us something."
Friday July 7
· A reconstruction of Sarah's last-known movements is made with the help of four local children. The four play in the same wheat field and the lane from which Sarah was abducted six days before.
Saturday July 8
· In another media appeal, Sarah's grandfather, Terry Payne, sobs as he reads out heart-rending messages from the eight year old's brothers and sister.
Sunday July 9
· The Payne family visits the search operation's headquarters at Littlehampton police station as locals pray for Sarah at a church in East Preston, near where she disappeared.
Monday July 10
· There are possible sightings of Sarah on the M6 near Knutsford, Cheshire, and on the A80 near Glasgow, and police receive more than 800 new calls offering information.
Tuesday July 11
· Police release an e-fit of the man seen with a girl fitting Sarah's description at Knutsford services. Officers also receive calls from as far afield as Greece, Israel, Spain and France.
Wednesday July 12
· Closed-circuit television footage of the second possible sighting is sent to the inquiry team, but Sussex Police later announce that the girl is not Sarah.
· Sarah's favourite pop group, Steps, urge the public to help find the eight year old.
Saturday July 15
· Two weeks after Sarah's disappearance, the Paynes take their children to the Sussex beach where they spent their last day together.
· Police admit that the prospects of Sarah being found safe and well are diminishing daily.
Monday July 17
· Shortly after 10.15am a farmhand finds the body of a young girl near an agricultural college, beside the A29 between Pulborough and Billingshurst about 10 miles north of where Sarah was abducted.
Tuesday July 18
· The body is formally identified as that of Sarah and a post mortem examination shows she was murdered.
Wednesday July 19
· Sarah's family visits the spot where her body was found. They spend 20 minutes at the field and leave six long-stemmed pink lilies, her favourite flowers, and a small arrangement of white carnations and lilac daisies.
· Callers wanting to know where to leave flowers and tributes jam the Sussex police switchboards.
Thursday July 20
· Police find one of Sarah's black shoes in a hedge near the tiny village of Coolham, less than four miles from where the body was discovered.
Sunday July 23
· Police arrest Roy Whiting on suspicion of stealing a car, following a high-speed chase in Crawley.
Thursday July 27
· Sara Payne sobs uncontrollably as she clings to her husband beside the sea of tributes by the field where Sarah's body was found.
· The Paynes announce that they would like a public memorial service to be held in memory of their daughter.
Saturday July 29
· Sara and Michael Payne sign the News of the World campaign for legislation for known paedophiles to be publicly identified.
Sunday July 30
· The Payne family make a final visit to the roadside tributes, where more than 30,000 bouquets have been left by well-wishers.
Monday July 31
· Roy Whiting is rearrested for questioning in connection with Sarah's disappearance and murder. He is again released on police bail.
Thursday August 31
· Sarah's funeral takes place at St Peter's Church in Hersham, Surrey, just yards from her former school.
Tuesday September 26
· Roy Whiting is jailed for 22 months at Chichester Crown Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and taking a vehicle without consent.
Tuesday February 6 2001
· Police arrest Roy Whiting for the kidnap and murder of Sarah Payne and move him from his prison in Kent to Bognor police station.
· After hours of questioning, detectives formally charge him with murder.
Wednesday February 7
· Whiting makes his first appearance before magistrates at Chichester, charged with Sarah's murder.
Friday May 18
· Whiting pleads not guilty to the murder of Sarah at a pre-trial hearing at Lewes Crown Court.
Tuesday November 13
· Whiting goes on trial at Lewes Crown Court.
Wednesday December 12
· Whiting is convicted of murdering Sarah Payne and jailed for life.