ONE of Hampshire’s top attractions is closing for a day to enable the funeral of its founder to take place.

The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, was established by Lord Montagu in the early 1950s and draws more than 300,000 visitors a year.

But the award-winning attraction, including Palace House and the abbey ruins, will shut next Thursday for his funeral.

Apart from the annual Christmas Day shutdown it will be the first time the museum has closed since the foot-and-mouth outbreak 15 years ago.

Lord Montagu, 88, died on Monday after developing pneumonia.

Various parts of the attraction will be involved in his funeral and all the staff will have a role, making it impossible to open to the public.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Lord Montagu’s favourite car, a 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, will be used to transport his coffin through the village.

After setting out from Palace House it will travel up the High Street before doubling back to the museum and heading for Beaulieu Abbey Church, where the service will take place.