A pigeon shoot ended in tragedy at Stapleford Tawney at the weekend.

A 34-year-old man, was fatally injured by a shotgun blast while he was out culling pigeons with a friend near the village airfield on Saturday.

He was later named as Tony Hall, of Waltham Abbey, but his relatives asked police not to release further details. A spokeswoman for Essex Coroner Dr Malcolm Weir said: "Mr Hall had been culling pigeons near the airfield with a friend."

Essex Air Ambulance was called out following the shooting but a spokeswoman said they were unable to assist. Mr Hall was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned.

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