THE head of Dorset’s Lulworth Estate, Wilfrid Weld, has died aged 81.

Mr Weld, who is head of the Weld family and owner of the Lulworth Estate, died on Tuesday, December 3 in Tahiti, after being taken ill while travelling with his wife Sally.

In a statement the Lulworth Estate said it made the announcement ‘with great sadness’.

Stephen Baynard, chariman of the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, said: "The Board and staff of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust mark with deep regret the passing of Wilfrid Weld, one of our Vice Presidents and the son of Joseph Weld after whom the hospice in Dorchester is named.

"Wilfrid, and Sally his wife who was for many years a Trustee and is also a Vice President, have been tireless supporters of Weldmar hosting many events and contributing with the utmost generosity their time, wisdom and energy to the cause of better end of life care for people in Dorset. We send Sally and her family our deepest sympathy."

Mr Weld is credited with transforming the Lulworth Estate into a tourism-led business and, in the process, helping to make the Durdle Door the iconic landmark it is today.

He was also involved in a number of local organisations.

A spokesperson from the estate said: “The Lulworth Estate is one of the UK’s finest, privately-owned estates and has been owned by the same family since 1641.

“Wilfrid Weld led the transformation of the Lulworth Estate from a traditional landed estate, into a modern and self-supporting business powered by tourism and agriculture.

“Under his leadership he restored the great Lulworth Castle and established Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door as iconic, internationally-renowned landmarks.”

Mr Weld was president Dorset County Cricket Club, Dorset Master Thatchers, and the Dorset Blind Association. He was president of the Dorset Gardens Trust, and its first chairman in 1989.

In addition, he was vice-president of the Dorset Wildlife Trust and a patron of the Catholic Children’s Society in Plymouth, of Headway Dorset and of Hampshire County Cricket Club.

The Weld family have owned and managed the Lulworth Estate since 1641, but the estate itself can trace its heritage back to the 11th Century.

It was traditionally an agricultural estate, but underwent diversification to be one of the first to recognise regional tourism, opening its doors to visitors in the first part of the 20th century when a holiday park, parking and coastal footpaths were established.

The World Heritage Site status was awarded by UNESCO in 2001 and the site was formally opened by the Prince of Wales in 2002.

The funeral will be held at 12pm on Tuesday, January 5 at Lulworth Castle Chapel. The family have requested no flowers.