THE funeral of Ludlow garage owner Richard Howells, who was found dead with a shotgun wound outside his house, will be held at St Laurence's Church next Wednesday.

Police sealed off part of Fishmore View, Ludlow, last Friday after a neighbour found Mr Howells' body shortly before noon. It is understood a shotgun was lying by his side. Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Mr Howells, who was known as Dixie, was 53 and the father of two children.

He was also a widely- respected figure in clay pigeon shooting circles and was due to supply equipment and helpers for a shoot at Caynham the following afternoon.

One of his clay pigeon colleagues, Ray Bufton, said: "The shoot was called off. I'd known Richard for more than 20 years. We don't know what we are going to do until we've spoken to his partner Margaret. We will have to wait."

A popular event since it began in the 1960s, the Caynham shoot normally draws enthusiasts and experienced shots from a very wide area and raises money for the village hall and St Mary's Church. Mr Howells was a former pupil at Caynham School.

Along with Tony Wilding, he was a partner of Smithfield-based PRL Garage, which is currently being sold.

Mr Wilding said he was "very shocked".

"He was a very good person. We'd been partners for 27 years and set up the garage in 1977. He did a lot of clay pigeon shoots and a lot for charity. He was as straight a man as you could meet," he said.

After a post mortem on Monday, South Shropshire district coroner Ian Arrow formally opened an inquest on Mr Howells and adjourned it until December 2.

A large congregation is expected for next week's funeral, which will be followed by a private cremation. Family flowers only have been requested. A decision about donations will be made shortly.