Tia Sharp's mother visits Croydon shrine to daughter

Tia Sharp's mother and stepfather have laid a tribute at the makeshift shrine near her grandmother's south London home where a body was found on Friday.

Tia, 12, was reported missing on 3 August and was last seen at the house in New Addington, Croydon.

Natalie Sharp and David Niles left a Hello Kitty doll and a white orchid.

Stuart Hazell, 37, has been charged with Tia's murder and his partner, Tia's grandmother Christine, 46, has been bailed on suspicion of murder.

A 39-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has also been bailed to return to a south London police station.

Ms Sharp and Mr Niles also left a card to Tia which read: "We love you very much, always will. Sorry baby that this should have happened."

It continued: "I wish I was there to protect you.

"We know you are safe now and and you are at home with us everywhere we go."

Ms Sharp was unable to walk unaided after she placed the tributes and kept her head buried in her partner's shoulder as they left.

On Saturday Scotland Yard apologised to Ms Sharp, from Mitcham in Surrey, over the length of time it took to find the body at her mother's house.

Dozens of bunches of flowers and toys have been left near the house by the public over the past two days.

Mr Hazel is due to appear before magistrates on Monday.

Although police are awaiting formal identification of the body found on Friday, the victim is named in the murder charge as Tia.