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A man has inherited one of the grandest estate homes in Cornwall from a man he didn't even know was his father.

Jordan Adlard Rogers, 31, learnt that his biological father Charles Rogers had died last year in his car outside his home on the National Trust Penrose Estate.

Cornwall Live last week reported on the inquest into the death of the 62-year-old recluse, who died of an overdose of a heroin substitute.

Charles was part of the Rogers family who have lived in the 1536-acre National Trust Penrose Estate between Helston and Porthleven for generations, gifting it to the National Trust in 1974 in exchange for a 1,000-year lease to continue living there.

Charles had struggled with drug abuse for many years and his inquest heard he led a reclusive life but now his legitimate son, Jordan Adlard Rogers, 31, has come forward to speak out about the remarkable tale of how he has ended up inheriting the lease and lifelong income from the man he didn't even know was his father.

Jordan has known Charles could have been his dad since a young age but a DNA test was only carried out once Charles had passed away.

Since moving into the lavish estate, Jordan has immersed himself in his newfound family’s history and wants to paint a more complete picture about his father than what was said at last week’s inquest.

Jordan, who bears a striking resemblance father, said: “I haven’t been here long and don’t know all the ins and outs but have been able to piece some of the puzzle together.

“Charles never actually lived in the estate. He lived in one of the estate’s farmhouses as his mum lived here so he never got the chance to inherit it. They died two weeks apart and his brother was also in line to live in the estate before him.

“It’d got to the point when he gave up on himself and was living in his car instead of his house as it was such a mess.

“The Rogers family gave the National Trust 46 cottages and a couple of farms and now the Rogers Family Trust produces income for the life tenant.”

Jordan, who has recently had a son with his partner Katie, said he has learned of a number of factors that he believes resulted in his father’s descent into drug addiction.

(Image: Tim Green/Creative Commons)

“There was always a pressure of him trying to match expectation,” he said. “His brother was a RAF pilot and his dad a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy so he had big shoes to fill. He was under huge pressure taking it on, but he was different and a free spirit.

“Charles served in the Army in Northern Ireland and I think this affected him greatly along with the death of his brother Nigel from cancer who he was very close to.”

Moving on to his own story, Jordan has described how he knew Charles could have been his father since the age of eight.

He said: “He offered to do a DNA test when I was younger but it didn’t happen and then when I was 18 I knocked on his door and asked if I could have the test and he told me to do it through the solicitors. I was 18 so had other priorities at the time.

“I wrote more letters in my twenties but never got a reply, then three years ago I got in contact with power of attorney Philip Care. Philip said Charles didn’t want to do the test so I wrote one final letter with a DNA test kit enclosed and that was when Philip rang and told me Charles was dead.”

Jordan, formerly a support worker, added that after having to deal with some obstructive family members he was finally able to get the test completed and Charles confirmed as his father.

He said: “I’m now starting to get my feet under the table here. People say I’m lucky but I would trade anything to be able to go back and for Charles to know I was his son. Maybe then he might have taken a different path.

“I don’t need to work anymore so want to set up a charity and help the Porthleven and Helston communities.

“I’ve been at the point of worrying about the next bill and have had a tough start in life but now I’m here I want to help people. I’m not going to forget where I’ve come from.”

The estate makes money from investments in stocks and shares and renting a number of parcels of land to local farmers.

Jordan’s plans also extend to holding a charity garden party in the grounds of his new home.