A BRITISH pensioner who was shot dead outside his house in southwest France had been involved in a bitter battle with his neighbours over cattle, it’s claimed.

David Daniels, 72, a wealthy former company boss, had become locked in the dispute with his only neighbours, the murder suspect's relative said.

Mr Daniels was shot in the chest on Tuesday as he went to put a rubbish bag in the bin outside his home.

The pensioner was allegedly killed by elderly French farmer Jean Moreau after a feud over his untidy farm on the estate outside the village of Edon, in Charente, Western France.

The Times reports Pascal Moreau, 48, and his dad Jean, 85, have been tenants on the farm that belongs to Mr Daniels's 300-acre estate.

The millionaire had bought the property in 1997 as a holiday home while the tenants farmed the land.

But Mr Daniels moved full time to the house three years ago and was said to have been fed up with seeing cattle and a messy farm.

Roland Moreau, 56, the brother and son of the tenant farmers, said the British owner wanted to see a scene that resembled a picture postcard and not a real-life farm.

Roland said: “He didn't want cattle on the farm and he kept saying that he wanted it tidied up.

“He was aggressive and demanding with them.

"He once told my father that he would end up in an old people's home.

“My father took umbrage and dug his heels in."

But while Roland admitted there was a feud he did not think it was linked to the shooting.