A ROW over the running of a Romney Marsh potato farm drove a son to shoot his father and then turn the gun on himself, an inquest has heard.

Michael Paine, 45, from Dennes Lane, Lydd, committed suicide after shooting his father John, 78, three times in the head and chest at Coldharbour Farm, Washington Lane, Old Romney on Thursday, July 12.

He shot himself in the head but died two days later at hospital in London.

At an inquest at Ashford, coroner Rachel Redman said she believed Michael Paine had planned to murder his father and recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

The inquest court heard how he had become increasingly frustrated with the running of the family business, John Paine Farms, for which he was responsible for the day-to-day managing but had no say financial say.

John Paine served as a Conservative councillor for the Marsh for more than 20 years.

He joined Shepway District Council in 1995 and served two terms as a Kent county councillor between 1979 and 1981 and again between 1985 and 1997.