The millionaire believed to have shot his partner at their country house before turning the gun on himself thought his relationship was on the brink of breakdown and may have had money troubles, friends have revealed.

Howard Worthington was found dead in a field in Brewood, near Wolverhampton, shortly after girlfriend Julie Rees, 47, was discovered with two gunshot wounds on Thursday night.

Neighbours said father-of-four Mr Worthington had lived life to the full and was known as a pillar of the community. But over the last few months he and his partner had rowed several times and it was rumoured Mr Worthington had serious financial worries.

The 52-year-old had been married four times and bought himself a Lord of the Manor title when living in the village of Shray Hill in Telford with former wife Denise in 2004.

But their relationship broke down and he began seeing Mrs Rees, and in 2006 they bought the lavish £900,000 canalside home in Hyde Mill Lane.

She left husband Mark Rees, a solicitor advocate. Villagers said the house was in a state of disrepair when they bought it but Mr Worthington transformed it. But neighbours said the relationship had recently become strained.

One villager who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s well known they’ve been arguing a lot and the guy is always moving in and out of the house – we all know they haven’t been getting on.

Bill Woodman, aged 50, moors his canal boat next to their home. He said: “It was common knowledge that Howard was experiencing financial difficulties – I thought he was going bust actually.”

Police were guarding the property today.