LORD Montagu inherited his peerage aged two when his father was killed in an accident. He took his seat in the House of Lords as soon as he came of age.

His education included spells at Eton and New College, Oxford, before he inherited the Beaulieu Manor Estate in 1951 and took the landmark decision to open Palace House to the public the following year.

It was one of the first treasure houses to admit visitors and the move proved an enormous success.

Motoring proved pivotal to its success. Beginning with a few historic cars on display in the entrance hall, he founded the Montagu Motor Museum in memory of his father.

In 1972 it became the National Motor Museum, helping the estate win scores of awards and attracting car fanatics around the world.

He made a name for himself in tourism, becoming chairman of the Historic Houses Association from 1937 to 1978, chairman of English Heritage from 1984 to 1992 and president of the Southern Tourist Board for 16 years until it merged with the South East England Tourist Board in 2003.

But Lord Montagu's private life has not always run so smoothly. He hit the national headlines in 1953 when he was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old Scout days after his engagement to Anne Gage.

He vehemently denied the charge, but when the case appeared to fall apart through lack of evidence, new allegations were brought forward claiming he had incited two young airmen to gross indecency.

This time, despite again protesting his innocence, the mud stuck and he was sent to prison for 12 months, leaving his marriage plans in ruins.

The case triggered the Wolfenden Inquiry, which eventually helped decriminalise homosexuality.

In 1959 he married Belinda Crossley, daughter of Captain Hon. John de Bathe Crossley.

The couple's marriage ended amicably and in September 1974 he married Fiona Herbert, a former television presenter.

He has three children - Ralph and Mary from his first marriage and Jonathan with Belinda.

Name: Lord Edward John Barrington Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu Occupation: Hereditary peer Date of birth: October 20, 1926 local link: Lives on the Beaulieu estate in the New Forest