THE son of a businessman who was shot dead by robbers in South Africa has vowed to stay strong' for his family.

Jamie Picton-Turbervill was due to celebrate his 21st birthday on the day his father, Fred, was shot in the head in front of his wife and four young children after robbers broke into his Pretoria home.

Dad-of-six Mr Picton-Turbervill, 46, had emigrated to South Africa three years ago after running his own successful furniture design business - D'Uberville in Burnley.

Before then he had worked for Pendle Furniture Ltd, which was based in Sabden and became Contrast Upholstery, for about 15 years.

He was shot on Saturday evening at his home in the upmarket suburb of Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria, he shared with wife, Ursula, and their children, Samantha,10, Bryony, nine, Natasha, six, and three-year-old Gregory.

The two robbers fled with a laptop, four cellphones, jewellery and about R1000, or £74, in cash.

Jamie, who arrived in Pretoria on Tuesday from Brigend for his father's funeral, said: "I'm the man in the house now and I must be strong for my younger brothers and sisters, and for Ursula.

He said he was happy he had been able to speak to his father for two hours, just two nights before he was murdered.

"My dad is survived by family spread throughout the world.

"He touched hearts and was dearly loved, everywhere.

"Our one consolation is that we have family and friends who are supporting us in these dark times," he added.

Mr Picton-Turbervill, a former Burnley Rugby Club captain, will be cremated after a memorial service and the ashes taken to England where they will be scattered in Wales, where he grew up.

Meanwhile Mr Picton-Turbervill's wife has given more details about what happened when the robbers burst into their home, which had been targeted before by thieves.

She said: "The family was sitting watching DVDs and the children were in and out of the house playing on trampolines," she said.

"We heard our dog start barking and we went outside to see what was going on and my husband saw the one man come through and he just shouted run'."

She added: "They came running in, they were both armed and they got us down on the floor and said sleep, sleep, sleep'."

One of the two men "came and kicked my husband in the head then kicked him in the sides.

"Then the second man stood back and shot him in the head."