THEY came in their hundreds from across the country. Loving parents who hugged their tots just that little bit tighter as they approached the memorial to tragic Baby P. 

Children, many a similar age to the torture victim, then gave up their own toys in touching tribute. 

In all, A THOUSAND people yesterday flocked to Baby P’s final resting place in a spontaneous outpouring of national grief. 

The first turned up at daybreak. Others were still arriving as darkness descended. When rain and snow fell, they huddled under umbrellas. When biting winds blew, they clutched each other for warmth and support. But still they came. 

Richard Cullum, 27, brought his son Max — born just two days before Baby P and a poignant reminder of the little boy the blond, blue-eyed child should have become. 

Laying flowers and Max’s toy digger, Richard, of Broxbourne, Herts, said: "It is heartbreaking." 

We'll never forget you ... Mark Puttick comforts his son Ryan as they visit Baby P's memorial site

Jane Dashwood, from Loughton, Essex, stood with her two daughters and 21-month-old son Harrison. She wiped away the tears as he placed two teddy bears at the granite memorial provided by The Sun — now an overflowing shrine. 

Jane said: "Baby P was just an innocent little boy. We’d have had him and loved him."

Angela Puttick, 39, from Maidstone, Kent, said: "My grandson is 15 months old and it is so hard to think what Baby P went through at that age." 

Sharon Woolston, from Hastings, East Sussex, said: "My son is 15 months and I just can’t imagine anyone treating a child that way." 

Dudley Lionheart, 42, from Basildon, Essex, took along his two-year-old daughter Mia. He said: "I can’t stop thinking about him. I had to come and pay my respects."

Baby P was 17 months old when he died last November after a catalogue of torture — despite being monitored by Haringey Social Services in North London. 

His mother, 27, sadistic stepdad, 32, and their lodger await sentence for causing or allowing him to die. 

Yesterday flowers, pictures and candles were placed around his memorial at St Pancras and Islington Cemetery, East Finchley. Cuddly toys were piled up in his honour — including a big tiger left ?to protect him?. 

Shocked Sean Kelliher, 32, drove four hours from Leeds with wife Lisa, mother-in-law Irene and son Kyle, 12. He said: "What has upset me most is the thought of all those injuries he suffered and that not one social worker was able to help him. They should all be sacked."

Tragic Baby P ... died in agony at the hands of those who were supposed to care for him

"I can’t comprehend how this could happen and I just wanted to come and pay my respects for my own peace of mind."

Steve Jackson, 44, from Croydon, South London, left balloons and a bear. Son Oliver, eight, had also painted Baby P a picture of a ship with the words "Sail away into the sun. No more pain."

Steve said: "I’m simply broken hearted. I can’t think of anything that has affected me so deeply. I’ve never done anything like this before but this has touched my heart."

Michael Thomas, 54, from Aldershot, Hants, said: "I felt it was necessary to honour him in death as he wasn’t in life. I have sent a wreath to Haringey Council but they haven’t replied to me."

A GIRL of 16 who lived in the same house as Baby P has told how she was too terrified of the tot’s stepfather to report him. She said: "I’ve felt suicidal. Part of me wants to suffer. I deserve it."

The girl — who DID give evidence against him at trial — said the stepfather exploded in fury after discovering Baby P’s mother was pregnant again. She recalled: "He smashed the bedroom door in and said he was going to cut her up. She was screaming and crying and he was going mad."
 

So sad ... Dudley Lionheart and his 2- year-old daughter Mia visit Baby P’s memorial    Respect ... young and old alike visit the shrine to Baby P Guardian ... a toy tiger watches over the grave of Baby P

Tears ... mourner looks at the tributes to Baby P Weeping ... a family is moved to tears by tributes  Special hug ... Jane Dashwood holds on tight as son Harrison puts down his own teddies for Baby P

A GRIEF-STRICKEN lawyer sobbed at Baby P’s memorial plaque yesterday. 

Dad-of-five Phil Simmonds was overcome after laying flowers at the growing shrine dedicated to the tragic tot. 

He said: “I’ve got a little boy, Tristan, who looks just like him. But the similarities end there in terms of the little lives they have and had.” 

Phil, from West Sussex, added: “I feel terribly guilty about being part of a society that let this happen.” 

Speaking at St Pancras and Islington Cemeteries, in East Finchley, North London, he said: “The people who did it are unspeakably evil. But also evil are those who could have stepped in.” 

A stream of people, some with their children, visited the shrine around a granite memorial provided by The Sun. 

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