A former Shropshire businessman, who is believed to have blasted his partner with a shotgun before turning it on himself, feared a relationship break-up and financial ruin, it was claimed today.

Millionaire Howard Worthington, 52, formerly of Shray Hill House, Shray Hill, was found dead in a field near his home in Brewood on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border on Thursday night.

A woman, believed to be his partner Julie Rees, had been found with two gunshot wounds at the couple’s £900,000 home an hour earlier.

Today detectives were piecing together the couple’s last movements and waiting to speak to the woman in hospital where her condition was described as stable.

It is believed the father-of-four, who split up with his wife Denise in 2006, shot Ms Rees in a row before shooting himself in a field at the back of their home.

Neighbours said the couple were facing financial problems and had separated last year when Ms Rees moved out of the home.

Mr Worthington’s eldest daughter, Layla, 23, this afternoon paid tribute to her father.

“The tragic circumstances that our father has left us is a shock. He was a loving father, son and grandfather,” she said.

She wished Ms Rees a speedy recovery.

Friends today also paid tribute to Mr Worthington, who lived in the tiny hamlet of Shray Hill, between Newport and Crudgington, until 18 months ago. Sue Smith, landlady of the Sutherland Arms in Tibberton, said everybody was shocked.

“He was a very friendly man and very nice. He was always happy and got on with everybody,” she said.

She added that despite him buying a title of lord and being a wealthy man, nobody would ever have known of his fortune.

“He was a very ordinary man,” she said. “The person we knew here, you cannot imagine him doing anything like that. He was so happy.”

People in Brewood said Mr Worthington and Ms Rees had been arguing and he had been in financial difficulties.