Detectives searching for gold stolen in the Brink's-Mat robbery have completed a fruitless search of a builder's yard.

Metropolitan Police Flying Squad officers spent five days searching the premises at Ore, near Hastings, using sophisticated scanning equipment.

The gold bullion was stolen during a raid on a security firm's vaults at Heathrow Airport in 1983.

More than 30 Flying Squad officers helped excavate the yard at the rear of builders' merchant R Winchester and Son in Old London Road.

Ronald Winchester, who owns the yards, has declined to comment on the dig.

Detective Superintendent Jon Shatford said intelligence gained following months of inquiry had led the team to the area.

It is thought that about £10 million is still missing from the £26 million Brink's-Mat robbery.

Mr Shatford said: "The search continued for five days and has now been satisfactorily concluded with nothing untoward found.

"A broader investigation to locate gold and proceeds of the robbery will continue.

"We have every reason to believe that original gang members are now disgruntled about how the proceeds of this gold was distributed.

"No one should underestimate the resolve of the MPS Flying Squad to conclude this matter."