Police fear a missing 81-year-old vicar may have been murdered and dumped at sea.

The Rev Ronald Glazebrook has not been seen for 12 days but, with blood discovered in his car and yacht, police fear the worst.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Moore, heading the inquiry, said: "We are hoping we will find him alive but as each hour goes by our concerns grow."

A full-scale murder-style investigation has been launched, complete with a team of detectives, a computerised incident room and forensic experts.

Samples of blood are being analysed to see if they match the vicar's.

They were discovered in the boot of his Toyota Carina, parked outside his large detached Victorian house in Dane Road, St Leonards, and on his boat, the Soulis, at Newhaven Marina.

Police divers have been searching the harbour.

Meanwhile, the vicar's daughter, who first reported her father missing when he failed to attend church, is expected to attend a police Press conference at Hastings police station tomorrow.

Married but divorced some years ago, Mr Glazebrook started his church work for the London diocese in 1943 and spent time in Ashford, Southwark and Rochester before retiring and moving to St Leonards in 1983. He also travelled in Australia and Nigeria during the Fifties and Sixties.

Although retired, Mr Glazebrook, said to be a quiet and private man, helped out the Reverend Richard Harper, parish priest at Christ Church in London Road, Ore, St Leonards, by conducting occasional services.

David Guest, spokesman for the Diocese of Chichester, said: "He is quite well known locally as he has been helping out ever since he arrived in the area.

"We share the concerns of everyone about what has happened and we are praying for him and his family."

Two 17-year-olds arrested in connection with Mr Glazebrook's disappearance have been released on police bail.

Anyone with information should call the Operation Excalibur incident room on 0845 6070999.