Pictured above: Nikki Spencer, private client solicitor at Robinsons Solicitors, Burns Street, Ilkeston

An Ilkeston law firm is set to hand over more than £1,000 to a host of charities after it gave its clients the chance to write wills for free in return for a donation.

Robinsons Solicitors collected £1,100 in donations and a further £200 in legacies when it took part in the annual Will Aid event last month.

The month-long promotion, which saw the firm draft dozens of free wills, was designed to encourage more people to plan what happens to their estate when they die.

In return, they were asked to make a donation to Will Aid, which is run by nine UK charities - ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children UK, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (N. Ireland).

Nikki Spencer, a private client solicitor at the firm, in Burns Street, hailed the event as a success, not least because it encouraged some clients who would not have otherwise made wills to step forward.

She said: "Only 40 per cent of people in the country make a will before they die and every day we deal with the problems caused by those who don't, whether it's a loved one who faces financial hardship or a family feud.

"Naturally, we are always keen to get the message out that people should make wills and Will Aid enabled us to do just that, ensuring that they have now protected their families' futures.

We were very pleased with the uptake and delighted that our clients showed such generosity in donating so much money for such worthy causes."