A WEALTHY Blackwood businessman found dead at his luxury home could have been with a mystery woman during his final moments, police say.

Reginald Penny, 65, who owned Blackwood Finance Limited, in Gordon Road, was found dead by a friend at his £750,000, Old St Mellons home at the weekend. He was last seen alive in a pub near Newport on Friday.

His death is being treated as suspicious by South Wales Police. Officers, however, do believe Mr Penny - who had a history of heart disease - may have died of natural causes, and that a mystery visitor tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate him. There were no external injuries to his body.

A post-mortem examination was not conclusive and toxicology tests will now be carried out.

Detective Chief Inspector Wynne Phillips said: "Certain facts have emerged which suggest that Mr Penny may not have been alone at the time of his death.

"We know he had callers to the house - they may have been female callers.

"This person or persons may have attempted to resucitate Mr Penny. "If this is the case, I would urge this person to contact the police. "I am currently keeping an open mind as to the facts surrounding Mr Penny's death, as there are certain issues that are not yet clear."

Blackwood Finance Limited is a licensed debt recovery agency and cheque exchange. The firm also offers unsecured cash loans. Specific inquiries into his business dealings are not being probed, although officers are keen to speak to friends, family, and business associates. Workers at his firm were too upset to talk to the Argus yesterday - but Chris Evans, director of the Extreme Cycles shop, on High Street, in Blackwood, said Mr Penny was his landlord.

"He was a very nice chap who was very helpful and very well respected in the local business community," he said.

"His death has come as a shock."

Mr Penny was last seen alive at his local pub, The Cefn Mably Arms, at Michaelston-y-Fedw, near Castleton, on Friday afternoon.

Pub landlord Paul Matthews said: "He was here with friends on the Friday and was booked here for Sunday lunch.

"But the CID visited that morning, inquiring about the steps he had taken throughout the week. It was a shock to find out what happened.

"Police say he had a history of heart disease, but he always looked pretty fit and healthy to me. He will be missed in the village and the pub."