An estate agent specialising in luxury marina homes has suddenly closed his firm and disappeared.

The offices of Marina Properties at Brighton Marina have been repossessed by the landlords and the firm has ceased trading.

But customers and fellow estate agents do not know what has happened to director Raymond Coe.

Rental agents Leaders is now dealing with the company's landlords and tenants.

Marina Properties had a portfolio of more than 100 homes, costing up to almost £500,000.

Leaders, in Western Road, Brighton, will send letters to all customers this weekend advising them to get in touch, after being given access to the clients' database.

Leaders managing director Alan Thurlow said: "I understand the former owner Raymond Coe is no longer able to attend to his business but I don't know what the reason is."

Joint managing director Paul Weller added: "This is a dreadful situation for all the landlords and tenants involved and we are doing our best to help them.

"We hope the public will take note of this and only use a letting agent that is a member of the Association of Residential Letting Agents because, unfortunately, this story is not unique."

Mr Thurlow said his firm yesterday helped two Marina Properties tenants who were expecting to move into homes this weekend.

He said: "One of our people visiting the office saw them outside and needing help. We've been able to help them get into new properties after all.

"We've also been contacted by landlords who don't know whether repairs they were expecting were now going to go ahead.

"Every now and again an agent closes for whatever reason. We have experience of stepping in in these circumstances to help deal with problems."

He added the firm had not been given access to Marina Properties' accounts or trading details.

A spokeswoman for Drayfield, the property's landlords, said: "Drayfield has taken back the premises as a result of the tenants' inability to comply with their obligations under the terms of their lease."

Bailiffs took possession of the offices last Tuesday. Leaders was given permission to contact clients by solicitors representing Mr Coe's wife, who Mr Thurlow said did not own the business and was "very distressed".

When The Argus called at Mr Coe's home in Hove Park Villas, Hove, yesterday, a man who declined to be named said Mr Coe was not there and would not be available for comment.

He said: "The rentals are being dealt with by Leaders. Marina Properties has ceased trading. That's as far as I'll go."

Marina Properties opened at the marina nine years ago and was a member of Brighton and Hove Estate Agents' Association.

The firm's web site states: "We are a friendly, independently-owned residential estate and letting agent.

"We are regularly recommended for our integrity and professional caring approach, under the personal supervision of Raymond Coe, a member of the National Association of Estate Agents."

Phil Graves, of Graves Jenkins estate agents in Marlborough Road, Brighton, said: "Marina always seemed to be doing fine."

Leaders has set up a helpline for Marina Properties clients. The number is 0845 3454232.