A man accused of murdering a mum-of-two from Sissinghurst has denied killing a second woman who disappeared in the same place six months before.

Mark Brown, 40, of Squirrel Close, St-Leonards-on-Sea, appeared at Lewes Crown Court having been charged with killing Alexandra Morgan who was last seen at a petrol station near Cranbrook, on November 14.

He is also charged with murdering 33-year-old Leah Ware, who disappeared last May near her home in Hastings, just like Ms Morgan.

Brown today pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Ware, whose body has never been found.

He previously pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Morgan, whose remains have been discovered, but he did admit he tried disposing of her body using fire after she died in an accident.

Ms Ware was reported missing in May with police confirming her disappearance was "out of character".

Six months later, dog groomer Ms Morgan disappeared.

Both women had the same build, height and hair colour and just like Ms Ware, Ms Morgan had not been in contact with her family.

Police carried out extensive searches for Ms Morgan in three areas near Hastings and another near Sevenoaks.

The 34-year-old's Mini was later recovered.

The car was spotted making journeys between her home in Sissinghurst and Hastings in East Sussex on November 14 and 15.

The morning of her disappearance, she was served at Shell service station at The Common, Sissinghurst, at 7.20am by her friend Rose McAuley, 32, when she topped up her car and bought a coffee and a snack.

Speaking of that morning, Ms McAuley said: “She was more done up than I’ve ever seen her before.

“And she came in very early in the morning which was unlike her.”

Senior Investigating Officers DCI Neil Kimber, of Kent Police, and DCI Andy Wolstenholme, from Sussex Police, said in a joint statement: "Our thoughts are with the families of both Alexandra and Leah at this difficult time.

"Whilst we have located the remains of Alexandra we have yet to find Leah and our investigations remain ongoing.

"We understand the impact that this may have in our communities.

"We are appealing for anyone with information regarding either Leah or Alexandra to contact us urgently."

Brown was remanded in custody and will face trial on October 17.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting Operation Gallery for Kent or Operation Acresdown for Sussex.