The 66-year-old woman yesterday arrested in connection with the murder of Brighton dad Gary Hampson has been released without charge.

She will answer bail on June 17.

Gary Hampson, 42, disappeared four months ago after he picked his 10-year-old daughter up from school in Brighton and dropped her at home on Thursday January 6.

Unusually, he failed to contact his daughter for her recent birthday, and his mobile phone has been switched off since January 9.

Despite searches at properties in Brighton and Hove, and inquiries made by police with his friends and associates, a body has so far not been found.

A search and forensic examination of the 66-year-old woman's Brighton home in Montpelier Road was carried out yesterday morning.

The murder inquiry was launched after Mr Hampson's blood was found at the Kop Cars Body Shop garage where he worked in Little Western Street, Brighton.

Relatives said they have found it extremely difficult not knowing what happened to Mr Hampson, who was described as a "devoted father and well-liked local character".

Mr Hampson, who lived in Old Shoreham Road, Portslade, has links to Liverpool and the St Helens area of Merseyside.

Police said the search for his body has now been extended into the area north of Cowfold and is concentrated primarily along the A281 corridor to the Sussex/Surrey border.

Specialist search officers are expected to continue scouring the area over the weekend and into next week.

Det Ch Insp Jeff Riley, who is leading the major crime branch inquiry, said: "This is a very active investigation and my team and I are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.

"We are determined to find Gary's body and the process of searching has to be carefully planned and a scientific approach taken to ensure that the most likely locations are properly identified and then are subject to a detailed and methodical search."

The arrest follows the charging of two men over the murder.

Daniel Alexander, 61, of no fixed address, has been charged with murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

He has also been charged with robbery, attempted robbery and grievous bodily harm.

Roy Bartup, 67, of Natal Road, Brighton, has been charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Both men are due to appear at Lewes Crown Court for a plea hearing on July 28.

Anyone with information about Mr Hampson's disappearance should call Sussex Police on 0845 6070 999 quoting Operation Jubilee, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.