A MAN was in custody yesterday after a North Yorkshire woman was shot dead at her luxury Turkish villa while celebrating her 56th birthday.

Catherine Bury, known as Anne, died on Sunday when the villa’s gardener opened fire with a pump-action shotgun.

The 46-year-old gardener, identified only by his initials, VA, had reportedly argued with Ms Bury two days previously.

Her mother Cecille, 87, known as Celia, and son Alex, 24, were both taken to hospital after the horror in the picturesque resort of Dalyan on the south coast of Turkey.

The Turkish ministry of culture and tourism said Celia had been discharged after treatment.

Reports suggest the gardener was arrested on Saturday and held overnight by police after a complaint by the family.

A poolside party was arranged on Sunday, but the released gardener went back to the villa and shot Celia in the back and Alex in the leg.

Ms Bury reportedly fled to the third-floor bathroom, but the gunman blasted the lock and shot her four times. She died at the scene. Turkish TV footage showed detectives searching the property, where balloons and other evidence of a celebration were still visible.

Ms Bury was taking a break from her job as a deputy administrator and risk manager for a Saudi medical services organisation.

Stephen and Jennifer Garbutt, who have lived next door to Ms Bury and her son since they moved into their street in the village of Swainby, near Northallerton, 13 years ago, described their neighbours as “the nicest people you could ever wish to meet”.

Stephen, 72, said: “We have known them since they moved in when Alex was just a small boy. They are such a lovely family and would do anything for anyone. Anne is incredibly friendly and is such a nice person. I can’t imagine that she would ever do anything that could offend someone.

“In all the years they have lived there I have never heard her raise her voice or get angry. I can’t understand how something like this has happened.

“When we heard the news it really knocked the wind out of me. I am in shock that anyone could have done this to such lovely people.” The couple said Ms Bury worked as a midwife before getting a job in the Middle East last year.

Jennifer, 70, said: “When I heard what had happened I burst into tears. I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“They keep themselves to themselves but we couldn’t wish for nicer neighbours.”

The Foreign Office said: “We are aware of the death of a British national in Turkey on September 9. We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.”