A carriage collection that once belonged to one of Cumbria’s wealthiest men is being auctioned.

Lord Ballyedmond, who was also known as Dr Edward Haughey, was killed when his helicopter came down in a field in heavy fog on an estate he owned in Gillingham, Norfolk, on March 13, 2014.

The Tory peer owned Corby Castle at Great Corby, near Carlisle, and was a prominent figure in the Cumbrian community.

He was a well-known collector, and his interest in horse-drawn vehicles started just after the turn of the century.

Most of the carriages, harness and driving accoutrements were purchased by him between 2003 and 2010.

Specialist horse-drawn vehicle auctioneers Thimbleby & Shorland of Reading, Berkshire, have been instructed by the family to sell his carriage collection.

This will take place by auction at Corby Castle on Wednesday next week.

Experts say the most significant of Lord Ballyedmond’s purchases was in 2004.

At the George Shaw Richmond Collection sale, he acquired the carriage Travelling Barouche, by Davis of London.

This carriage – described as “superb” – appears to be in almost original condition, add experts, as it was when sold in 2004.

Chris Boreham, director and auctioneer from Thimbleby & Shorland, spoke about the collection.

He said: “Lord Ballyedmond’s collection includes some notable carriages built by some of this country’s finest builders: Holland & Holland; Turrill & Sons; Offord; Peters; Lawton; Croall & Croall; Morgan & Co and Barker & Co. Lord Ballyedmond bought the best quality carriages.

“We know that he took great enjoyment from acquiring this collection of carriages and the forthcoming sale will give discerning buyers the opportunity to have that same enjoyment and to acquire some truly exceptional carriages of historic importance.”

Other notable carriages purchased by Lord Ballyedmond from the George Shaw collections include a Zetland Omnibus; a private Omnibus; a 4-wheeled Governess Car; a tonneau Phaeton; a Char-à-Banc; and a Town Coach by Henry Angus of Newcastle.

Lord Ballyedmond, 70, was considered to be one of Ireland’s richest men, with estimated wealth in excess of £800 million.

Best known as chairman and founder of Norbrook Laboratories, the largest privately owned pharmaceutical company in the world, the father-of-three had a range of other business interests.

A coroner’s jury ruled that the helicopter crash was an accident.