A widow broke down in tears today as she pleaded for help in catching the gunman who blasted her husband to death in a drive-by shooting.

She made her emotional appeal as detectives offered a £10,000 reward to anyone with information which catches the wealthy businessman's killer.

Dale Kenneth Harvey, 44, who was facing a charge of importing £500,000 of cocaine, lost his three-day fight for life last night when doctors switched off his life support machine.

Police immediately stepped up their investigation into a murder hunt.

Mr Harvey's widow Tania, who has five children, some from previous relationships, told a Press conference: "I cannot begin to find the words to describe how difficult this time is for me and my children.

"This has left us devastated - it has destroyed our lives. I've lost a husband and my children their father. He was always there for them.

"Anybody out there please, please try to remember something they might have seen to catch those responsible."

Tania, who is being guarded by police, then broke down in the arms of an officer.

Mr Harvey, whose business concerns involved imports and exports, had been jointly charged with others of importing the haul of drugs through Dover.

However, detectives are stressing the possible drug connection to the killing is not their only line of inquiry.

A spokesman said: "He had a lot of business interests and was involved in several trading concerns."

Mr Harvey, was blasted at point-blank range as he sat in his silver Mercedes Benz at a crossroads in Cripp's Corner, Battle, on Monday morning.

Forensic experts were last night scouring his home in The Hawthornes, a quiet cul-de-sac in Broad Oak, Heathfield.

They were searching his papers and belongings for clues to what is believed to have been a contract killing.

Neighbours near the £300,000 detached house were shocked by the death.

One said: "A lot of really expensive cars and bikes come in and out of there at all times of the day. The house has had some major development since they moved in but they are not really known to people round here."

One woman said: "A police car was outside his house soon after the shooting. I never really saw him much."

Another said Mr Harvey was a "stranger" to people in the close.

Mr Harvey, known to friends as Ken, lived just a few minutes' drive from where he was shot.

Detective Chief Inspector Reg Hooke, heading the investigation, said: "A major police investigation has been under way since Ken Harvey was shot on Monday morning and last night that sadly developed into a murder inquiry.

"I remain open-minded about the motive for this callous murder and I am urging anyone with information to come forward."

He said police family liaison officers were supporting Mr Harvey's family, who had been at his hospital bedside since the attack.

It was about 6.45am when Mr Harvey stopped in his top-of-the-range new Mercedes at the crossroads and a green Kawasaki 750 Ninja motorbike pulled up alongside.

The pillion passenger fired a number of shots with what is thought to have been a small handgun.

The bike, with a false number plate V1 LON, was recovered near Sedlescombe and has been undergoing forensic examination.

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