Sara Payne, whose eight-year-old daughter was killed by a paedophile in 2000, will attend Belfast High Court next month as she helps to fight a ban on unmasking notorious sex killers and rapists.

The devastated mum made the plea as she pledged to support the Sunday Life's campaign to publish the photos of perverts walking the streets on day release.

Notorious killer Ken Callaghan, who murdered an east Belfast secretary and sexually abused her as she lay dying, has been granted a High Court injunction to hide his identity.

Ms Payne, who fought a similar campaign after her daughter's murder, described the court ban as " disgusting".

She said: "People have a right to see their faces. I am so angry about this I am almost lost for words to describe it. I think the consequences are very dire. For a start, if any of these men go on to reoffend, will the judiciary accept responsibility?

"How can the public defend themselves against such evil people if they do not know what they look like?"

Sara has also worked closely with The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), headed by former Ulster policeman Jim Gamble.

On its website it shows photos of missing sex offenders. Despite the publicity, none have ever been attacked though several have been apprehended as a result of the appeals.

In the coming months a number of areas of England will be included in a pilot scheme for Sarah's Law.

Sarah's Law is the campaign launched by Sara Payne to allow people to be told about perverts living in their midst.

In 2002, Sara and her then husband Michael, visited Stormont to petition politicians to introduce Sarah's Law in Northern Ireland. At the time a majority of MLAs backed the move, but legislation could not be introduced until justice powers are devolved.