A self-made multi-millionaire has vowed to devote the rest of his life – and his fortune – to charity.

Brian Burnie is selling his historic spa hotel and estate and will use the proceeds to fund a cancer charity. The philanthropist, who started life in a red brick terraced home in Newcastle, said he hoped to die penniless.

Mr Burnie, 64, built up his business empire after leaving school aged 15 to work as a grocery delivery boy. He has spent more than £16m, and 14 years, transforming 191-year-old Doxford Hall, near Alnwick in Northumberland, into one of the country's most luxurious hotels.

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He is only a matter of weeks from completing the project and proceeds from the sale will go to establish, and fund "for ever", a Marie Curie or Macmillan cancer nurse for north Northumberland, and a set of vehicles to take cancer patients to and from hospital.

Mr Burnie said he hoped his gesture would be an example to others. "It would be nice to think this will mushroom across the country. I would love to see other people following what we are doing. My wife thinks I'm mad."

Mr Burnie and his wife Shirley have built up an record for philanthropy over the last 40 years, giving thousands of pounds to charities for cancer sufferers and inviting hundreds of war veterans to their home for meals.

The effects of cancer were brought home to the couple four years ago when Mrs Burnie, 60, contracted breast cancer. She made a full recovery and, far from living a grand lifestyle, she looks after their Doxford House home and works three days a week at Barter Books in Alnwick.

Mr Burnie said he had always wanted to use the Hall to raise money for cancer charities, but he decided to bring his plans forward when the hotel was redeveloped. "We are just bringing forward everything we planned, because I didn't want to wait until I was 70 or 80 before it happened."