DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a man who disappeared without trace are searching a street near his home.

Mark Manning, 54, of Brighton Road, Lancing, was last seen on April 19 last year before his family reported him missing on April 22.

They said it was completely out of character for him to disappear.

Two men were arrested and bailed last month in relation to his murder, however police have yet to recover the former bomb disposal expert’s body.

Detectives could now be a step closer to discovering Mr Manning’s fate after combing parts of St Peters Place, Sompting, for clues yesterday.

A forensics team searched parts of the road just before the level crossing in a bid to unearth more clues.

The latest development follows a search of the lake and grounds of Brooklands Park in Worthing in April, plus the Becket Motor Works car garage in Little- hampton Road, Worthing, last month.

A Mercedes car was removed from the garage as part of the search.

Mr Manning was last seen after being dropped off at Worthing railway station by a friend.

The father-of-two was never seen again.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Ashcroft, who is leading the investigation into Mr Manning’s death, has previously said he was “convinced there are people in the community who know what has happened to Mark”.

When asked about the latest search in St Peters Place yesterday, Sussex Police told The Argus: “This is a line of enquiry related to the Mark Manning murder investigation following the arrests of two men last month.”

The men arrested over Mr Manning’s murder, a 49-year-old and a 38-year-old from Worthing, are due to answer police bail on Thursday next week.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr Manning should ring police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Light.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.