Police hunting for the shotgun used to murder a Sussex millionaire have found firearms and ammunition.

The weapons were discovered after officers searched farmland a few miles from where Richard Watson was gunned down five years ago.

During the four-day operation, the team of 50 made "a number of significant finds", including guns and ammunition, said officers.

Detective Inspector Malcolm Bacon said: "We recovered other property we consider to be quite significant. We are not prepared at this time to reveal any other information.

"No persons have been arrested at this stage while further forensic examinations are being undertaken."

All the property was found in the same area of the grounds of Heath View at Blindley Heath, Surrey.

Officers from Surrey helped Sussex Police search ponds and more than 14 acres of grounds a few miles from 55-year-old Mr Watson's home in East Grinstead, where he was shot in December 1996.

His third wife Linda, a 43-year-old former beauty queen, and her daughter Amanda London-Williams, 24, were charged six months after the death with murdering Watson with the aid of an unknown third person.

The pair, who vehemently protested their innocence, were later cleared of any involvement when the case was dropped just before the start of their trial at the Old Bailey.

The Watson murder inquiry, known as Operation Canasta, was complicated by the businessman's worldwide business dealings.

His firm had an annual turnover of £1.2 million and it was rumoured he may have been killed by the Russian Mafia. The case featured on the BBC TV Crimewatch programme and more than 200 statements were taken.

A £15,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.