A MAN shot dead by intruders who broke into his home has been named as Guy Hedger.

Police were called to Mr Hedger's house in Castlewood near St Ives, Ringwood, at 3am yesterday after at least two intruders entered the address.

Mr Hedger, who was 61, was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A murder investigation has been launched by detectives from Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).

Mr Hedger's next of kin are aware and are being supported by specially trained officers. The family has requested privacy.

The address in Castlewood has been cordoned off while crime scene investigators carry out their examinations.

Mr Hedger was listed as living at the property with Simon-Pierre Hedger-Cooper, 48, a voluntary sector worker who was reportedly his husband of 12 years.

Police said a second person in the property at the time of the killing was "deeply affected by the incident" and they were being supported by specially trained officers.

Meanwhile the businessman's next-of-kin have asked for privacy at the "deeply traumatic time", police said.

The force said officers were called to Castlewood, a cul de sac with around nine large detached houses, at 3.03am to reports that "at least two intruders had entered a house".

Mr Hedger was marketing director at Avonbourne International and Business and Enterprise Trust, which runs colleges and a primary school in the Bournemouth area.

The CEO of Avonbourne Trust, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: "Everyone at Avonbourne Trust is shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Guy Hedger.

"Guy was one of the founding directors of Avonbourne Multi-Academy Trust when it was formed in 2012.

"He became a director through his role as marketing director of LV= in Bournemouth, which is a long standing business partner of Avonbourne.

"Guy was a very kind and generous man who volunteered and gave his time freely to Avonbourne.

"As a trust we benefitted greatly from Guy’s lifetime experience of finance and marketing and we will always be grateful for the significant contributions he made.

"Guy had a deep passion for education and was dedicated to expanding the experience and knowledge of children in Bournemouth.

"Everyone at the trust will miss his guiding hand, friendship and the wonderful service he provided us."

Prior to working for the academies he was marketing director at insurer Liverpool Victoria and had worked for Direct Line, it was reported.

A spokesman for the company confirmed that Mr Hedger was the firm's marketing and brand director.

He said: "We were all shocked to hear that our friend and colleague Guy Hedger, LV='s marketing & brand director, died over the weekend in such tragic circumstances.

"An extremely talented marketer, Guy was instrumental in building the LV= brand and he will be sorely missed by many. Our heartfelt condolences and sympathy are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time."

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire, of MCIT, said police do not believe the intruders were known to Mr Hedger, although all lines of inquiry are being pursued.

“At this stage we are still trying to establish exactly what happened at the address in Castlewood and how and why the victim was shot dead," she said.

"Currently we do not believe the offenders were known to the victim, however we continue to investigate all lines of enquiry.

“I am appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area or was in the area at that time, to contact Dorset Police as soon as possible.

“There will be a heavy police presence in the vicinity and officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out high visibility patrols to offer reassurance to the community and can be contacted with any concerns.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 30:53.