Michael Owen's builder found dead

Lower Soughton Hall is home to Owen his fiancee and daughter

A builder involved in a £1.2m court case with footballer Michael Owen has been found dead at his home.

Police were called to the Shropshire house of Michael Flynn at 0500GMT on Thursday.

Mr Flynn has been locked in a battle with the star over work on his £1.6m home in Flintshire, north Wales.

A statement from Owen's agent said the Liverpool striker and his family "are shocked and saddened" at the news.

A spokesman for Owen's agent SFX added: "It would be inappropriate to say anything else at this stage, but they would like to extend their sympathies to Mr Flynn's family and friends."

Last month a court order was won by the Liverpool striker to freeze Mr Flynn's assets in a dispute over the work carried out, pending a full hearing of the case in May.

Mr Flynn had always claimed he had done nothing wrong and would be vindicated by the legal action which had to be completed.

Owen alleged false claims over building work

The case was brought by the footballer's firm Owen Promotions Ltd and concerned work on his home, Soughton Hall near Mold.

Owen alleged the builder made false claims over payment for work which had not been done or for work which had already been paid for.

He also claimed Mr Flynn had made unauthorised transfers from a bank account set up to deal with the work.

Mr Flynn's detached house in Stoke Heath near Market Drayton was cordoned off on Thursday and a police van blocked the entrance to the drive.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police confirmed they are investigating the builder's death.

'Unexplained' death

Detective Inspector Pete Clarke said: "The matter is being treated as an unexplained death and the coroner has been informed."

It is understood that police are not looking for anyone else in connection with Mr Flynn's death which they are treating as "unexplained".

Owen's mansion Lower Soughton Hall, where he lives with his fiancee and baby daughter, dates back to the Elizabethan period but was largely re-built in 1865.

In January Flintshire councillors voted against planning permission for an extension there to house his collection of cars, snooker and table tennis tables.

The footballer striker has already spent more than £500,000 on home improvements at the mansion, including a swimming pavilion and a stable block.