The limbs of a missing 81-year-old clergyman have been found in a hold-all in a shallow grave.

Detectives confirmed today that body parts of the Reverend Ronald Glazebrook had been buried on a small island in thick woodland close to a police station.

The discovery was made by scenes of crime officers at 1.45pm yesterday behind Somerfield Sports Centre, 500 yards from Hastings police station.

Today, detectives refused to be drawn on what body parts had been discovered until after a post-mortem examination this afternoon. Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Moore, leading Operation Excaliber, said: "It's a macabre discovery and obviously deeply distressing for the family."

Two 17-year-olds, questioned and released by police earlier this month, were today being questioned on suspicion of murder at Hastings police station. No charges have been brought.

Mr Moore said a motive for Mr Glazebrook's murder remained a mystery but he had been killed shortly after he was last seen.

Officers were today still combing the site where the body parts were found and police divers were at the scene. Journalists were shown around the wooded area.

Mr Moore said the clergyman's daughter Christine, 45, from Surrey, had been informed of the "gruesome" developments.

He said: "It's very difficult for anyone to accept the death of a father but under these circumstances it must be even more difficult."

Mr Moore added no further sites had been identified as part of the investigation. He said the former vicar had been killed in Hastings.

The two youths being questioned were first arrested on May 6.

Mr Glazebrook had been reported missing on April 30 by his daughter Christine, 45, when he failed to turn up for services at Christ Church, St Leonards. The divorced priest was last seen the previous afternoon walking his dog Jonti close to his home.

A murder inquiry was launched when tests on blood, found on his yacht Sulis at Newhaven marina and his Toyota Carina car outside his flat in Dane Road, St Leonards, proved it was his.

Mr Glazebrook, sprightly for his age and known by his initials RVG, preached "high-brow" sermons and helped out at Christ Church.

His daughter told a Press conference her father was dedicated to teaching young people.

He taught abroad in the Fifties and returned to Britain with his family just prior to the break-up of his marriage.

Mr Glazebrook continued to work in parishes and ended up working full-tim with community organisations in east London. He retired to St Leonards in 1983.

His congregation, family and friends, had all prayed for Mr Glazebrook's safety.