DETECTIVES are today investigating a family tragedy in which a Conservative councillor was shot dead and his son was later found with serious gunshot wounds.

The dead man has been named as Cllr John Paine, who was 78. He represented the Romney Marsh ward on the Folkestone-based Shepway District Council and was a former county councillor.

He also ran a potato farm at his home in Washington Lane, near Lydd, a few miles from Hythe.

His 45-year-old son, Michael, was taken to a London hospital where he is in a serious condition.

Police officers were called to their home yesterday after shots were heard by neighbours. Detectives say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the tragedy.

A minute's silence in memory of Cllr Paine was observed by members of the farming community and others this afternoon on the first day of the Kent County Show at Detling, near Maidstone.

Shepway District Council leader Linda Cuffley said today: “I am still in shock. I really can’t believe it. He was a lovely man and a real gentleman.

“I had the privilege of working with him on the district council and the county council when he was a member for Romney Marsh. He always worked very, very hard for the community and the people he was elected to represent.

“I just really can’t get to grips with the news. There will be a great number of people on the Marsh who will feel his going tremendously. He will be greatly missed.”

Cllr Paine served two terms as a county councillor - between 1979-81 and 1985-97.