MISSING bomb disposal expert Mark Manning was murdered at a garage a few miles away from his home, prosecutors have said.

The claim comes as a man yesterday appeared in court charged with his murder - nearly two years after his disappearance.

The 54-year-old went missing in April 2014 sparking one of the longest-running and highest-profile murder investigations in recent Sussex Police history.

Colin Gale, 39, was charged with murder yesterday and appeared before magistrates in Brighton where his case was sent to Lewes Crown Court.

Magistrates heard that Gale, of Offington Road, Worthing, is accused of murdering Mr Manning on or about April 19, 2014, at P and B Motors - Western Road Car Sales, in St Peter's Place, Western Road, Lancing.

Dressed in a grey jumper and jeans, Mr Gale spoke only to give his address and date of birth as his case was sent to Lewes Crown Court for an initial hearing today.

Yesterday two other people who had also been arrested on suspicion of murder, a 50-year-old man from Portslade and a 43-year-old Worthing, were released without charge.

Mr Manning, of Brighton Road, Lancing, was last seen on April 19, 2014, before his family reported him missing on April 22.

He has never been found.

His brother, Russell Manning, made an emotional appeal for information in June 2014. He said: "We are desperate to hear from him or anyone who knows where he is.

"This is completely out of character as he is close to his family and has always kept in touch, even when he has been working in a war zone.

"This is why we are so worried because he has never done this before."

Mr Manning had served in the Army before working as a fisherman.

Since the early 1990s he had been involved in humanitarian aid and clearing mines for the Mines Advisory Board.

Yesterday Detective Chief Inspector Mike Ashcroft said police still wanted to hear from anyone who has any information about the circumstances of his disappearance or his location.

Call police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Light or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (crimestoppers-uk.org).