Missing mum Sarah Wellgreen's ex-partner has pleaded not guilty of her murder.

Ben Lacomba, 38, from Bazes Shaw, New Ash Green, appeared before Maidstone Crown Court earlier today where he made his plea.

He has been remanded to re-appear before the same court when his trial starts on June 18.

READ MORE: Sarah Wellgreen: Police and volunteers still search for missing mum

Lacomba was initially arrested on October 16 in connection with Ms Wellgreen's disappearance but was released under investigation. He was then rearrested and charged on December 20.

Ms Wellgreen was last seen in the Bazes Shaw area of New Ash Green on October 9. She has not made contact with police or her family since then and police have been treating her disappearance as a potential murder.

Police said the only thing missing from her home when she went missing was her black iPhone, and there have been no new transactions on her bank or credit cards.

Since Ms Wellgreen’s disappearance, police officers have searched woodland near Bluewater shopping centre and areas in Greenhithe near the River Thames.

Divers have entered the River Darent in Dartford, while police and council workers have searched drains and the fire service has provided a drone.

MORE: Sarah Wellgreen: Volunteers blast claims that they were 'stood down' by police investigators

Local volunteers who had been leading the public searches for the missing mum-of-five recently launched a fundraiser for her family, with the aim of raising £50,000.

The search for Sarah Wellgreen is ongoing.