LORD Bathurst is seriously ill and in intensive care in Cheltenham General Hospital.

Lady Bathurst expressed her admiration and gratitutde to hospital staff who are caring for her husband and thanked friends and business associates who offered their support. 

A statement by Bathurst Estate said: "Lady Bathurst asks that people pray for him, as he has a long road ahead.

"Lady Bathurst is keeping all the wonderful messages ready to pass onto him when he is well enough and has asked that if anyone would like to write, to do so via the estate office."