AN INQUEST has been opened into the death of a Winchester pensioner killed by a shotgun wound to the head.

Mark Walford died at his home in Down Farm Lane, Headbourne Worthy, on May 15.

He was 85.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said they were called to the house at just after 5pm that day and the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Walford’s inquest was opened and adjourned on May 23, so that further investigations could be carried out by Mid-Hampshire coroner Graeme Short.

A Thanksgiving Service for his life was held at St Mary’s Church, Kings Worthy yesterday.

The Walford family’s website says that Mr Walford was educated at Eton and went on to become Machinery and Retail Director of Southern Counties Agricultural Trading Society, better known as SCATS, from which he retired in 1989.