A share of more than £700,000 is being donated to the RNLI through a man from the Isle of Man’s legacy.

It will benefit from the sale of a collection of Rolls-Royce and Bentleys following a bequest from the late Robert Furniss Riding.

The 15 cars were offered for sale ‘without reserve’ by H&H Classics at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, on October 19, racking up a total of £1.1 million.

From that amount some £754,200 will go to benefit the RNLI and other charities.

Helen Hopkins, head of legacies at the RNLI, said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to the late Robert Furniss Riding for naming the RNLI as one of the beneficiaries of his estate, along with many other beneficiaries.

‘The sale of the classic car collection will form some of the donation as the RNLI is the residuary beneficiary, so we’re very grateful to see it raise so much money.

‘Six in 10 lifeboat launches are only possible due to gifts in wills. Any gift left to the RNLI, large or small, makes a huge difference.’

Paul Cheetham, who consigned the collection for H&H Classics, said: ‘This fabulous selection is evidence of Bob Riding’s wide-ranging taste in classic cars with a bias towards Rolls-Royce and Bentley. They are a marvellous cross section of some of the best of the last century’s most sought-after cars.’