Tearful relatives of murdered Sussex businessman Michael Willard made an emotionally charged plea for help in finding his killer.

Victoria and Sarah Willard said they had lost their "rock" when their father, known as Mick, was killed.

They described Mr Willard, 63, as the "perfect" father and a man with no enemies.

Reading from a statement at Hastings police station, Sarah, 34, said: "We cannot understand why anyone would steal our dad.

"Our hearts are shattered and our lives will never be the same again."

Mr Willard died in hospital after being knifed once in the back at his workplace in Caves Road, St Leonards, at about 4.40pm last Friday.

As Sussex Police put up a £5,000 reward, detectives said they strongly believed the motive was robbery.

Every Friday between 4.30pm and 5pm he would make the same ten-minute journey from his home to work in his yellow F-registered Ford Transit lorry to pay his staff in cash.

Detectives believe he was targeted for the estimated £1,000 he had on him to pay two of his workers.

Whether his killer had followed him from his home or lain in wait at his workplace is unknown.

Mr Willard, who ran Target Scaffolding and Plant Hire, managed to stagger back inside his office to dial 999.

He told the operator he had been robbed and stabbed.

However, Mr Willard, of Harley Shute Road, St Leonards, died within an hour at the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, from the deep single wound.

Clasping Victoria's hand, Sarah said: "We are all completely devastated by our dad's death.

"He was the most perfect father.

"He has four brothers and sisters, a large extended family and many close friends, all of whom are devastated.

"As the eldest, he was considered to be the head of the family.

"He played a large part in all of our lives and spoke to us daily."

A 30-man murder inquiry, codenamed Operation Granary, has led to two men being arrested on suspicion of murder. They have been released on police bail as inquiries continue.

Detective Chief Inspector Reg Hooke, leading the inquiry, said: "He may have been followed from his home address or there may have been someone lying in wait for him at the premises."

He appealed for help in tracing the murder weapon, a very sharp knife at least 6in long and a maroon zip-up washbag.

Mr Hooke called on anyone in the Caves Road or Grosvenor Crescent area from 4.15pm to 5pm last Friday to come forward.