A LUDLOW inquest heard that garage owner Richard Howells was found in his garden with a shotgun wound to the head.

South Shropshire deputy coroner Ian Arrow recorded a verdict that Mr Howells, of Fishmore View, Ludlow, killed himself on September 5.

Known to his friends as Dixie, 52-year-old Mr Howells was a highly-respected figure in clay pigeon circles and had a collection of guns at his home.

A neighbour Joan Thompkins said she was upstairs in her house when she looked out of the window. She saw Mr Howells lying in the back garden with a gun by his side. Her husband called the police.

At the time of his death, Mr Howells was selling the Smithfield-based PRL Garage, which he had run with Tony Wilding for 28 years.

A friend, Trevor Martin, who knew Mr Howells for a number of years, said he had seemed "irrational to me in some of his ways" in August. He had said to him in a discussion, "I might as well end it all."

Mr Howells's partner Margaret Fishwick said that over the last eight to 12 weeks his behaviour had become "more irrational" and he seemed depressed over financial matters. He had made a doctor's appointment for three days after he died.

Mr Arrow said that Mr Howells died from a shotgun wound to the head. He was known to be very careful with guns and there was no other possible explanation for his death.