A RETIRED teacher from Hampshire has been murdered at his dream home in the Philippines.

Brian Bridge suffered multiple stab wounds in the attack as his terrified wife jumped from an upstairs window to escape.

The 69-year old had gone to the Far East Asian country to start a new life as an organic farmer and had built his three-storey seaside home himself.

His grief-stricken family from Kingsley are mystified over the motive but local reports say officers are investigating a “possible conflict in relation to the couple’s business”.

Both he and his second wife, Estrillita, 59, a Filipina nurse, were found by a friend after the attack in the province of Palawan.

She remains in a Philippines hospital with a broken hip and leg.

His body has been flown back to Britain.

His ex-wife, Jane Williams, said their three children were working with Estrillita’s three children to liaise with police in the UK and the Philippines.

Mrs Williams said: “You wonder about the motivation for such a visious act.

“You inevitably think there’s more to it and this is what we want to know.

Brian had a life-long interest in self-sufficiency. His death is shocking but we are trying to be positive about it.

“He’d fulfilled his dream and did a tremendous amount for local people.”

Former Kingsley Parish Council chairman Mary Herbert had visited the farm while on holiday.

She said: Brian was the best sort of teacher. They encouraged local people to come and learn skills; they built a three-storey house; they showed local people how to install plumbing and electricity.

“While we were there we met several people who owed their livelihood to the Bridges – not only with the construction of their house but also in the creation of their farm.

“They were extending their expertise and enthusiasm into other areas. The skills they imparted to local people were then extended to others. We found the tranquillity absolutely beautiful.”

An inquest into Brian’s death on June 17 has been opened and adjourned.