Back in 1969, Dave Gibson and his partner Eddie Loake employed several men at their carpet- fitting business but they kept all the plum jobs for themselves.

After working at the home of the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards they were recommended to the band's guitarist Brian Jones, who had also just bought a mansion in the Sussex countryside.

He had only recently moved to Cotchford Farm, which had once been the home of Winnie the Pooh creator AA Milne, and the whole house was being renovated.

But Mr Gibson, now 65, does not remember his days working in the shadow of one of the country's most famous men with any joy, saying rather that he was there "at the wrong time".

Two weeks into their job, with only one day's work left to finish, Brian Jones was found dead.

The details of Jones' death have become rock'n'roll legend after his body was found in six feet of water following a midnight swim at the eight-bedroom mansion in Hartfield.

The official explanation was that he drowned after an excess of drink and drugs but many, including MrGibson, suspect he was murdered.

Mr Gibson said: "The night Brian died, I didn't leave Cotchford Farm until about 10pm and I remember he called out after me from the landing window, 'see you in the morning, Dave'.

"He wasn't drunk and I never saw him take drugs the whole time I was there, even though we did see lots of parties and orgies.

"He was looking forward to the builders finishing the next day. Me and my partner had to finish off and a fireplace still had to be put in, but after that he would have the place to himself.

"I often worked late at the farm with Eddie. We owned our business and employed other fitters but we chose to do all the plum jobs ourselves, although at the time I wasn't that bothered that I was working for a pop star and I wasn't particularly a Stones fan."

Brian Jones died as his blonde Swedish girlfriend, Anna Vohlin, then 20, knelt beside him desperately trying to give him the kiss of life.

At the time, the incident was called a terrible accident and a coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

But Mr Gibson, from Seaford, believes there was a huge cover-up at the isolated farmhouse in July 1969.

He said: "I don't believe the whole truth has come out. I just don't believe Brian Jones committed suicide or that it was an accident.

"I was a military policeman and a civilian policeman during my career and my intuition tells me something else happened that night."

The 27-year-old founder of the Rolling Stones had lived an infamous life of drink, drugs and sex and had quit the band only weeks before his death, claiming musical differences with the other members including Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Mr Gibson claims Jones confided in him that builder Frank Thorogood, who was living in a flat at the house during the renovation work, was ripping him off and asked for his advice.

He said: "Brian and his girlfriend kept themselves to themselves most of the time. Brian seemed to have something on his mind and seemed to be hiding away in Sussex.

"I got the impression he was scared of Frank who was bossy and domineering. I told Brian to get rid of him if he thought he was being ripped off."

He described Jones as a late riser who kept himself to himself most of the time.

"He loved his garden and would walk around in a huge sheepskin coat with a bottle of vodka in his breast pocket.

"I remember we put a yellow Wilton carpet in the main bedroom which was immediately christened by Brian's dogs who messed on it."

Mr Gibson alleges that it was Frank Thorogood and an unknown accomplice who were responsible for Brian Jones's drowning following an argument over money.

He said: "Frank was stroppy all the time and got angry when Eddie bought some recording equipment from Brian which he had had his eye on.

"It was as if Frank was in control of everything at the house.

"Someone knows the truth and I think it is about time it came out. Brian was a strong swimmer and a young man, I don't think it was an accident."

Mr Gibson and his partner received a telephone call at 7am the day after Jones was found dead. They were told they were no longer needed and they would be paid in full.

He claims a few days later they received an envelope containing the money they were owed, an extra £200 and a note saying 'take a holiday'.

Although he was not questioned by police at the time, he was interviewed during an investigation into Jones's death in 1994, which was sparked by newspaper claims that the rock legend had been murdered.

The case found nothing new.

Thorogood, who died in 1993, was quizzed extensively by detectives in 1969 but never charged.

Mr Gibson was shocked at the recent news that Alastair Johns, the current owner of Cotchford Farm, is to sell off the swimming pool tiles for £100 each.

He said: "I thought the whole thing would have been forgotten in 30 years, not dragged up again in this way. I think it is very morbid, bizarre and disgusting that people would want the tiles."