Human bones discovered on waste ground are believed to be those of a woman who had been missing for at least a year.

The bones, including a skull, and fragments of clothing were uncovered near a BT engineering centre in Sedlescombe Road North, St Leonards, on Wednesday.

Detectives involved in the case said there were no signs of violence.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Moore, leading the inquiry, said: "We are fairly happy the bones are the remains of a female.

"We are pursuing a line of inquiry which suggests she may have been a missing person from another part of the country."

A post-mortem examination was being carried out this afternoon and a dental expert was also being drafted in.