Police have arrested a third man over the murder of an East Sussex businessman.

The 34-year-old suspect from Leyton, London, was being questioned by Hastings police today after he was arrested on suspicion of killing Dale "Ken" Harvey, from Brede, near Hastings, on August 18.

He was arrested yesterday evening after a joint operation between Metropolitan and Sussex police, who searched a number of houses in London and Hastings.

Mr Harvey, 44, was blasted at point-blank range as he sat in his silver Mercedes at a crossroads in Cripps Corner, Battle, in what is believed to be a contract killing.

Two people drew up beside him on a green Kawasaki motorbike and the pillion passenger blasted him with a small handgun three times at about 6.45am.

Despite undergoing an emergency operation at the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, Mr Harvey lost his fight for life two days later.

The married father-of-five had been charged at the time with being involved in importing £750,000 worth of the class A drug cocaine.

He had been under police guard in hospital.

Police said the motorbike, which was later found abandoned, was stolen from Islington, north London, in June.

It carried a false number plate, V1 LON.