LORD Montagu of Beaulieu has told publicly for the first time how close he was to dying.

He suffered potentially fatal pneumonia and an infection around his heart pacemaker earlier this year.

The peer admitted: "In fact at one time it seemed for me that I had no future at all."

Lord Montagu, 76, who owns the historic Beaulieu estate in the New Forest and runs the famous National Motor Museum, revealed that it was only afterwards that he realised just how ill he had been.

Speaking at the annual Beaulieu Estate dinner, he said: "I was quite critical for a few days, but I didn't know very much about it at the time.

"As I lay in bed for two months, I had a unique opportunity of reflecting on my life and assessing how Beaulieu had changed and prospered over the past 50 years."

Lord Montagu also praised all the people who helped him through the hard year.

After making a good recovery and becoming involved again in the National Motor Museum and general activity around the village, he said: "Now that I am stronger, I was delighted to plant a tree and inaugurate a new seat on the Timbrells - the waterfront green at Beaulieu - to mark both Her Majesty the Queen's 50th year and my own 50th anniversary."

The father-of-three thanked his family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and the staff of all departments at Beaulieu and its estate for their support during his difficult time.

He reflected that the Beaulieu he was handing over to his elder son, Ralph, was "in a much better condition than when I succeeded".

The National Motor Museum, he said, was now officially designated by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as being of outstanding national and international significance and the Beaulieu River was a renowned international anchorage.

Referring to son Ralph's work on the estate, he said: "The impact of his care for the estate can be clearly seen in various environmental improvements, such as the hedgerows, new trees and notices.

"He is also developing Beaulieu as a centre for fine food."