Detectives hunting the contract killer who gunned down a businessman at point blank range hope a Bedford van could help unmask the culprits.

An image of the Bedford Midi, believed to have been used in the theft of a motorbike used by Ken Harvey's murderers, was released today.

The light blue van, registration F935 DFD, had been captured on CCTV in central London in the months leading up to the hit.

Detectives today released details of the vehicle in a bid to find it, saying it could hold the key to tracking down Mr Harvey's killers.

Married father-of-five Mr Harvey, 44, was shot three times through his Mercedes window after he stopped by crossroads at Cripps Corner, near Battle, on August 18.

A green Kawasaki 750 motorbike drew up alongside his car before the pillion passenger got off and blasted him with a small handgun at 6.45am.

The gunman fired once into Mr Harvey's head and twice into his body, forcing him to undergo emergency surgery.

However, two days later doctors switched off his life support machine at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings where he was under police guard.

Police revealed the Kawasaki bike had been stolen from Islington, north London, in June, and carried the false plates V1 LON - a play on "villain".

Now, police have linked the bike and the Bedford van, which is not registered to anyone but was seen being used up until June.

Today police urged anyone with information to contact the incident room.

Detective Chief Inspector Reg Hooke, leading Operation Avalanche, said today: "We're following up a number of leads and I'd particularly like to locate this Bedford van.

"I'd appeal to anyone with information about the van or the people who have been using it to contact us. There is a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Ken Harvey's killers, and I'd urge anyone with information to call my team."

Dozens of calls have been received since Mr Harvey's widow Tanya, 32, made a tearful plea for help at a news conference.

Courier firm owner Mr Harvey, who lived with his family in a £300,000 detached house in The Hawthornes in Broad Oak, Brede, near Battle, had no previous convictions.

He was on bail charged with two other men with importing 10kg of cocaine and was due to stand trial in December.

Anyone with information should call 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.