He died aged 54 on February 13. He leaves his partner Judy Finch, and his sister and her family who live in Sydney, Australia.

A member of Mensa and the Campaign for Real Ale, Mr Barnes' hobbies included politics, hunting, shooting, petanque and cricket.

His partner Ms Finch said: "Robin had many friends in Harbury - always ready with a friendly word, a happy smile and quirky wit.

"He was an eclectic and widely read person. His love of good food, wine and singing always made him a popular companion within his wide circle of friends and he enjoyed many of the social events that took place in the village."

Having grown up in Balsall Common, Mr Barnes studied at St Bede's College and the Heart of England High School, before taking an economics degree at Sussex University.

He trained as a chartered accountant with Coopers and Lybrand and for the past 25 years he worked for GEC Astorn, including four years in Paris.

The Harbury Twinning Association member moved to the village during the 1980s when he bought his first house.

Ms Finch said: "He felt this was a good move with five pubs in the village!

"While he was in Paris, he always knew the time would come when he would come back to his beloved Harbury. He would not have wanted to go anywhere else."

Colin Humpreys, who knew Mr Barnes through the twinning club, said: "Robin was an interesting fellow and quite a character. He was very much a country man, although he lived a cosmopolitan lifestyle due to his job. People in Harbury think warmly of him."

Mr Barnes' funeral took place in Harbury on March 4 and was attended by members from three hunting packs who sounded a bugle in his honour.