Norfolk is today mourning a farmer, nobleman and conservationist who turned his stately home into a national treasure.

Tributes are being paid to the Earl of Leicester who passed away at the age of 78 in the early hours of Saturday.

His wife, the Countess, and his three children were at his bedside at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in King's Lynn.

Born on May 6, 1936, Edward Coke was the son of the 6th Earl of Leicester, Anthony Coke, and Moyra Joan Crossley, the Countess of Leicester.

He spent his childhood on a remote farm in South Africa, where one of his boyhood memories was of him and his brother Johnny being woken at night by the sound of farm cats fighting with snakes which had invaded the house.

He moved to England in 1962 and took over the running of the Holkham estate, on the coast near Wells, in 1973.

In a statement announcing his death, the estate said: 'Lord Leicester took over the running of Holkham in 1973 and he transformed the estate as well as playing an important role in public life both nationally and locally.

'Lord Leicester will be sorely missed by all who knew him and worked for him over the years. Our thoughts are with his family.'

Lord Leicester was the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk. Lord Lieutenant Richard Jewson said: 'He was a great servant of Norfolk. He was a very popular man, he was a very caring man.

'He loved Holkham and he loved Norfolk. He oversaw the transformation of Holkham from simply being a family home to being an important historic house and tourist attraction. It was an important thing very well done. Norfolk will miss him.'

Lord Leicester was made a CBE in recognition of his services to conserving the nation's built heritage. Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: 'He was a great heritage hero. Not only was he responsible for preserving the heritage he inherited, he was famous for wanting to share it with people and was committed to finding ways of conserving our heritage more widely.'

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James, said: 'The Earl of Leicester was part of the fabric of Norfolk, caring deeply for its land, people and business life. He was held in deep respect and admiration, and was a special friend to many. We will miss him enormously.'

North West Norfolk Conservative parliamentary candidate Henry Bellingham said: 'He was a phenomenal public servant, not just for West Norfolk but for Norfolk as a whole.

'I first came across him in 1981 when I became the candidate for North West Norfolk and he was leader of the borough council. He was a tower of strength to me and a superb borough councillor.

'He did so many things for endless charities and other good causes. He could have just enjoyed his estate but wanted to put something back into society. He will be greatly missed.'

West Norfolk council leader Nick Daubney said: 'I worked fairly closely with him when he was the chairman of the Conservative association. He used to lend Holkham Hall for fundraising events, he was very helpful in that way. He was a very pleasant and supportive person.'

Wildlife artist and shooting companion Richard Robjent said: 'From my artistic and publishing life, he's been instrumental in helping me and has been a good friend.'

Lord Leicester succeeded to the title of the 7th Earl of Leicester and Viscount Coke in 1994, upon the death of his father. In 2005, he retired from running the estate, handing over its management to his son Tom, Viscount Coke.

The following year, he and Lady Leicester moved from Holkham Hall to Model Farm on the estate. Lady Leicester was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 2013/14.

One of her engagements involved a trip on board the Caister lifeboat.

Lord Leicester was the patron and president of the Wells RNLI for more almost four decades.

In a statement, the lifeboat crew and volunteers said: 'During his 37 years of office he always placed a high priority on the needs of the station and showed a great respect for the crew and volunteers.

'He has been actively involved in helping to bring the new Shannon lifeboat to Wells and we have been honoured to count him among our number. We are saddened at his passing and our thoughts are with his family.'

Wells harbour master Robert Smith said: 'He used to be a harbour commissioner.

'I always found him a very genuine and honourable man. He was a good champion for Norfolk, he'll be sadly missed.'