ONE of Norfolk’s leading council figures has been found dead in a garden near his Cromer home – just yards away from the body of his wife.

Keith and Andrea Johnson were found by police yesterday afternoon with shotgun wounds after worried residents reported an incident at Compit Hills.

Ambulance, air ambulance and police raced to the scene but were unable to save the couple.

Mr Johnson was the leader of North Norfolk District Council, a former Cromer mayor and a long-serving member of both the district and town councils.

The double death has sent shockwaves through Cromer, where the couple were prominent and much-loved figures, often seen at carnival, council, Christmas and other events.

He was elected as leader of NNDC earlier this year, succeeding Helen Eales.

This morning, scenes of crime officers were expected to still be at the scene of the double death, combing the bungalow and gardens for clues.

Last night, crime scene tents covered the two bodies, with four police investigation cars and a number of other police vehicles lining the street.

A police community support officer was stationed at the entrance to Compit Hills, ensuring that only residents could get in, while the area close to the scene of the incident was cordoned off with police tape.

Initially, nobody was allowed to come in or out of the close. But restrictions were loosened after a few hours, with those living away from the immediate area of the incident allowed to get to their homes.

News of the tragedy soon spread around the close-knit community.