A BORDERS artist has been shot dead in Bulgaria.

The body of Andy Forsythe, 54, from Ancrum, was found in Sofia on August 15, an article in The Times reports.

Mr Forsythe’s family and friends are now trying to raise enough money to bring his body to Ancrum for burial.

On their fundraising page, Mr Forsythe's family and friends describe him as a man with a "big and generous heart".

The artist had been living in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, for much of the past year, according to the fundraising page.

On August 25, The Times reported that the main suspect in the case is believed to have fled Bulgaria.

The fundraising page reads: "Our friend Andy Forsythe was shot and killed in Bulgaria. He was found on Saturday 15th August and we are seeking help in returning his body to the Scottish Borders.

"Andy was a man with a big and generous heart. He gave freely of his time to help others; he brought joy to many through his writing and his art. A man of honest principles; a man possessed of great wit and a keen mind. A good man.

"Andy had a thirst for knowledge of the world and of himself. His curiosity took him from Scotland to Turkey and then Bulgaria. He had been living for much of the past year in its capital city, Sofia."

According to The Times report, Mr Forsythe's two daughters, Hayley and Jessie, live in Canada with their mother, Heather MacIntyre-Forsythe.

The fundraiser for the return of Mr Forsythe's body aims to raise £8,000, which would "cover the expenses arising from this tragedy".

The JustGiving page has raised around £6,500 so far.

The page adds: "Andy's wish was that when the time came he would be laid to rest in Ancrum, the village in the Scottish Borders where he grew up.

"With this money we can bring Andy's body home and pay for the funeral itself.

"There are also legal and other costs likely."

The family's fundraising page can be found here.