HUMAN remains found in a wood are thought to be the first trace of a bomb disposal expert who has been missing for more than two years.

Sussex Police found body parts found in woodland near Hampshire Hill, Slaugham, on Wednesday that are believed to be those of Mark Manning.

Detectives have now also arrested a second man in connection with Mr Manning's death and the disposal of his body with one man already due in court in July.

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

They said his disappearance was completely out of character.

Detective Superintendent Mike Ashcroft, head of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: "We are supporting the family of Mark at this very difficult time."

The father-of-two had been making arrangements to meet up with his teenage daughter around the time of his disappearance.

A devoted father who had worked around the world as a bomb disposal expert, he was due to go to the Portuguese embassy to help sort out a visa for his daughter, who lives in Angola, to meet with him in Portugal.

But the 54-year-old, who was also close to his 17-year-old son living nearby, disappeared long before he had the chance to see his daughter again.

Blue-eyed and of stocky build, Mr Manning had worked as a bomb expert for the military before working for the Mines Advisory Group, a charity that removes landmines in some of the poorest countries in the world.

Wherever he was in the world, he would contact his family, reassuring them that he was all right in such a dangerous environment.

So when he disappeared his family feared the worst.

Police were convinced very early on that there was something suspicious about his death and launched a murder investigation in June 2014 without a body, a scene of crime or any witnesses.

The 50-year-old Portslade man arrested this week on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and prevention of a lawful burial was last night still in police custody.

Colin Gale, 39, of Offington Lane, Worthing, was charged with the murder of Mark Manning in January this year.

He is due to stand trial on July 4 at Lewes Crown Court.