Image copyright JAMES NASH/FACEBOOK

A "kind-hearted" children's author and parish councillor shot at his home in Hampshire has died.

James Nash suffered serious head injuries in the attack at Upper Enham, near Andover, on Wednesday afternoon.

The suspect, a 34-year-old man, died in a police chase after trying to flee on a motorcycle.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed Mr Nash died in hospital in the early hours and the investigation was being treated as murder.

A 40-year-old woman was also assaulted during the attack and suffered minor injuries.

'Shock and grief'

According to the Andover Advertiser, Mr Nash's mother Gillian Nash said: "Very sadly I have to tell you that James Nash died of his brutal injuries today.

"His father, his sister and I are in a total state of shock and grief.

"We have lost a beautiful, talented son and brother and I know all who knew him would say he was the kindest, most caring person."

Tributes have been sent from friends and colleagues of the writer and parish councillor, who represented the village of Enham Alamein.

Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, posted on Facebook: "This is such devastating news, not just for his family and friends who will obviously miss him terribly, but for the whole community of Enham Alamein where he was a public representative.

"He was such a kind-hearted individual and a proactive parish councillor who cared deeply for his community."

He added: "As a talented children's author and illustrator, I was extremely touched last year when one of the dedications in his latest book was to my newborn daughter, Eleanor-Ivy Mae.

"We will always treasure our copy."

Claire Porter from Chapter House Books, in Sherborne, Dorset, where Mr Nash went to school, said he would always pop in when visiting family.

She said: "He was a really nice guy who was brave enough to follow his dream of being a professional artist, then children's author after a successful career in the aerospace industry.

"He was so proud when he published his first book Winter Wild in 2016 and then came into the shop to give a reading in December 2017. "

Mr Nash's local newspaper, the Andover Advertiser, has paid tribute to him by looking back at his life and achievements in a series of tweets.

The tweets include biographical details, stating he was born at Yeovil Hospital on February 12, 1978, and that he grew up in Sherborne, Dorset, attending Gryphon School.

One tweet states that he set up an "art studio from his home and between teaching art classes, he spent time writing and illustrating and repairing an old tractor gifted to Enham Trust during the war."