A taser gun which went missing after a firearms officer drove away with it on the roof of his car is still missing.

The officer has now been moved from firearms to another branch within the force and received a written warning.

Nikki Marshall, spokeswoman for the East Downs Division of Sussex Police, said: "The officer has been through normal disciplinary procedures and has been moved from the firearms division.

"It is still missing. If someone has it at home, or if they find it, they should contact us immediately so we can come and collect it."

She said there had been no taser-related offences reported to police since the weapon was lost in June. It went missing somewhere along a route between Lewes and Eastbourne via Ringmer.

An urgent search of the area was carried out by police when it first went missing The officer realised it was lost when he reached his destination and alerted colleagues.

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson said: "Clearly it is a serious matter and has to be taken seriously. It's a real worry it hasn't been found and handed in.

"This suggests someone has found it and kept it and maybe they intend to use it for unlawful purposes."

Taser guns fire two metal probes which can hit targets up to 21ft away.

They create a 50,000 volt charge causing the target to lose muscle control and collapse.

Sussex Police began using Tasers last year and spent £31,000 on the weapons and training officers to use them. The weapon is yellow and black and looks like a plastic hand gun.

Tasers are usually carried in a pouch inside a wallet and kept in vehicles. Chris Oswick, spokesman for Sussex Police, said: "These things are battery operated and the battery will be dead by now so we are pretty confident it won't be a danger to the public.

"With a bit of luck it was run over by another car or was flung into a ditch where no one can find it."