A 72-year-old Hastings man was today jailed for life for the murder of a newsagent in 1976.

Allan Savage confessed last year after seeing an emotional appeal from Geoffrey Small's daughter Cathy on the BBC's Crimewatch TV show, the Old Bailey heard.

Savage told police he was hired by the son of a woman Mr Small had been having an affair with.

Jailing frail, grey-haired Savage, Judge Martin Stephens told him: "It took 26 years for you to face up to what you had done.

"This was a cold-blooded, brutal murder carried out for gain.

"You lay in wait in in the shadows for your helpless victim, shooting him - no fewer than four bullets hitting him."

The court was told that although Savage, a small time crook, had been promised £2,000, he only received £700.

Mr Small, a 46-year-old married man with two children, was found shot at his shop in Sutton, Surrey, in September 1976.

Jane Carpenter, defending, said Savage had "deep regret over the hurt he has caused the Small family".

Crispin Aylett, prosecuting, said Savage got into the shop before it opened, waited for Mr Small to arrive and fired six shots at him.

Savage stole takings of £150 and Mr Small's wallet to make it look like a robbery but police soon discounted that theory.

Mr Small had been having an affair with Jane Ward, a married woman with two sons.

Although they were interviewed, no link could be proved with the killing.

Years later, police were told Savage had confessed to the killing and reopened the file.