EXCLUSIVEA SHAMED aristocrat who squandered his fortune on a drug habit that eventually killed him left most of his remaining wealth to a close friend rather than his family, the EADT can reveal.

EXCLUSIVE

A SHAMED aristocrat who squandered his fortune on a drug habit that eventually killed him left most of his remaining wealth to a close friend rather than his family, the EADT can reveal.

Details of the will of John Hervey, the seventh Marquess of Bristol, have finally been published more than six years after his death aged just 44.

The late peer, who spent £7million in 10 years on cocaine and heroin and served two jail terms for his drug use, left £100,000 and various properties and possessions to his long-time friend, James Whitby, and £25,000 to his chaffeur, Thomas Foley.

His heir, the eighth Marquess of Bristol, Lord Frederick Hervey, is left his title and the residue of the family's former estate at Ickworth, near Bury St Edmunds.

George Lambton, the late peer's half-brother, told the EADT there was little money left for the family.

"It is true that there was not much money left. But you could say the wealth he had was sufficient for him in his lifetime," he said.

"He made the most of his life - he packed more in his 44 years than most people do in their whole lives."

The Marquess was found dead at his home in Little Horringer Hall, which was once part of the vast Ickworth estate, in January 1999.

An inquest found he died of multiple organ failure caused by long-term heroin and cocaine addiction.

For full story see today's EADT