A businessman stabbed to death during a robbery at his scaffolding yard tried to call for help before collapsing unconscious.

Michael Willard, 63, a father-of-two, called 999 but when the emergency services reached his office in St Leonards, where he had been paying out wages to his staff, they found him slumped on the ground.

Two men have denied murdering Mr Willard at a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

The jury heard Derek Hunter and Stephen Jones blame each other for his killing.

Sally Howes, QC, prosecuting, told the court Mr Willard, who was known as Mick, died in hospital after being knifed once in the back at his office at Target Scaffolding, in Caves Road, on January 10 last year.

She said Mr Willard, of Harley Shute Road, St Leonards, had been paying his staff in his usual way on a Friday afternoon when he was attacked and the wages stolen.

The jury heard Jones had worked for Mr Willard in the past on a casual basis.

Mr Willard was alone when the robbers made their way into his office and no witnesses saw what happened.

At 4.39pm he called 999 for help and told the emergency operator he had been robbed and stabbed.

Contact ended as he fell unconscious.

The jury heard Hunter, 38, of West Hill Road, St Leonards, has admitted robbing Mr Willard while Jones, 27, a father-of-two, of Perth Road, St Leonards, has denied robbery.

The trial continues.