A man has been found shot dead in a field near the Shropshire border after a woman was discovered with gunshot wounds at a country house nearby.

See also: Millionaire shooting – in pictures

The man is understood to be former Shropshire millionaire Howard Worthington, who lived at Shray Hill House, Shray Hill, between Crudgington and Newport, until 18 months ago.

The woman, who was in a serious condition in hospital today, is believed to be his partner Julie Rees, 47.

Villagers, left devastated by the shooting today, named the couple as 52-year-old Mr Worthington and his partner. 

Police called to the scene found a woman with two gunshot wounds inside the £900,000 house and an hour later found the body of the man in a field next to it.

Mr Worthington, a millionaire businessman, is believed to have sold Shray Hill House 18 months ago to move to Brewood. The property was up for sale in July last year for £850,000.

The owner of the property confirmed she had bought the property from Mr Worthington and was aware of today’s news, but declined to comment further.

People living on neighbouring farms today said they knew Mr Worthington lived there and referred to himself as a lord. 

One said part of the wood behind the house belonged to the property and Mr Worthington used to keep chickens.

While living at Shray Hill House, Mr Worthington, a keen motorcyclist, called for a reduction in the speed limit on the B5062, where he lived, after a motorcyclist was killed.

Referring to himself as Lord Worthington, he said he was forced to take his life in his hands every time he left his home close to the junction of the B5062 and the unclassified Meeson to Great Bolas road.

Mr Worthington is a former boss of EWS Manufacturing in Bushbury, Wolverhampton. Ms Rees runs an upmarket catering company based at their home in Hyde Mill Lane.

Teams of armed police sealed off all roads leading to the lane after the discoveries yesterday, at about 7pm, while detectives tried to piece together the couple’s movements.

An officer also stood guard at a sealed-off alleyway in Dean Street, close to The Admiral Rodney pub, to stop people cutting through to fields.

Faye Casey, Staffordshire Police spokeswoman, said: “A firearm was recovered at the scene by officers and will be examined later. We can confirm we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”

John Boate, 50, from School Road, Brewood, said: “The house people are saying it has happened at is lovely and the people have only lived there for a couple of years.”

Alan McKeown, EWS operations director, said Mr Worthington left the company five years ago after selling the business about a decade earlier, but staying on as its managing director. 

“I worked with him up until 2004 and he was a friendly, generous man,” he said.

Forensic examinations were under way at the scene of the double shooting this afternoon.

Police officers were carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the quiet village

Police said the woman’s injuries were not life-threatening.