TRIBUTES have flooded in to Lord Montagu highlighting his work in championing English heritage and Beaulieu in particular.

Sir Laurie Magnus, Chairman of Historic England, described Lord Montagu, as an "inspirational" first chairman of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, which became English Heritage and now Historic England.

"He was a stalwart champion of England's heritage, as shown by his work at the Beaulieu Estate, and laid the foundations for much of the strategic framework which is followed by Historic England today," he said.

"He was a great supporter of the plans to restore the landscape and improve the visitor facilities at Stonehenge.

"He was an honoured guest at the opening of the new reception centre there in December 2013."

Daily Echo:

Sir Laurie Magnus

Former leader of Hampshire County Council Ken Thornber, said Lord Montagu had made a great contribution in many fields, including to the wellbeing of Beaulieu village.

He said: "In a day and age where great estates have been under financial pressure, his foresight brought about the saving of an estate and the formation of a national motor museum, and it is most unusual for private museums to become a national museum.

“He was a very caring lord of the manor, he took a great deal of care over and for his staff, and I know it sounds like cliché, but he will be sadly missed.

“I think his qualities were as an entrepreneur but also a man who realised that the estate was in his care for his life, but that he had a responsibility to make sure that the estate remained and was well cared for.”

Hampshire County Council leader Roy Perry, pictured below, said it was clear that Lord Montagu was "much respected by the local community as a caring and conscientious landowner".

Daily Echo: Hampshire County Council leader Roy Perry - anxious to avoid council tax increase.

"It is a tribute to the late Lord Montagu that through the National Motor Museum he established not only a great and fascinating museum but also found a way of sustaining the estate - an estate that is crucial to the character of the New Forest and that contributes significantly to the tourist economy of Hampshire," he added.

"Combining in a sustainable way, economic viability with quality of the environment is not easy. It is a tribute to Lord Montagu that he achieved that."

Julian Lewis, MP for New Forest East, said: "This news though not entirely unexpected will come as a major blow to the forest community.

"Lord Montagu was a towering figure both locally and within the British tourism industry.

"In particular he created a world famous museum and was a constant champion of everything to do with the history of transportation.

Daily Echo: New Forest East MP Julian Lewis

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis

"Even the most difficult episode of his personal life is now recognised as having developed a more humane legal system in this country and he will be tremendously missed."

New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne said: "There's no doubt about the magnitude of his achievements at Beaulieu.

"I think they're quite right when they say it's the greatest day out in the south.

"Think of the business and trade and tourism that that's brought to the forest - I think that's a great achievement."