A pub landlord has been found dead in his car in a suspected suicide.

The body of Ray McCarthy was found by a neighbour in the car park at The Windmill pub, in Burgess Hill, at about 9am yesterday.

He had been gassed in his green Mercedes C200 to the rear of the pub in Freek’s Lane, off Leylands Road.

Police sealed off the area until noon while the body was removed. It is believed that a suicide note was found in the pub.

Shocked neighbours and pub regulars paid tribute to Mr McCarthy, who was in his 50s and had run the pub for the past four years.

Ann Boorer, of Leylands Road, said: “He was a great guy and we are all just in shock. He loved to do magic and card tricks and, if he was in the mood, would be very outgoing.

“We were close to him and I just can’t believe he didn’t feel he was able to talk to us. I’m devastated.”

Eddie Holland, 38, of Freek’s Lane, said: “I noticed the pub was shut on Tuesday night went I drove past at about 8pm and I thought it strange.

“It was not the busiest of places but he had regulars. It’s just such a shock.”

Becky Pratt, 24, is a part-time barmaid at the pub and was due to work a shift tomorrow night.

She said: “I can’t believe what has happened. He was a lovely, funny guy and really clever with his card tricks.

“Business had been slow but Ray seemed fine. I only spoke to him on Monday night.”

Friends said Mr McCarthy was originally from London and had managed pubs and Conservative clubs in Woolwich and Eltham before moving to Sussex. He was thought to have had an ex-wife and a daughter living in Kent.

He lived alone above the pub.

The Windmill had undergone an extensive refurbishment two years ago.

There had been a small fire at the rear of the pub last week.

A police spokeswoman said: “We were called to reports of a sudden death in Freek’s Lane.

“We found the body of a male on the premises. At this stage the death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Anyone with information should call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.