More than £5,000 has been raised for a hospice that cares for people from St Albans and Harpenden.

Make a Will Month raised the money for the Hospice of St Francis due to the collaboration between the Berkhamsted-based charity and nine local solicitors from across its catchment in Harpenden, St Albans, Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Amersham and Aylesbury.

The participating legal firms waived or reduced their fees for preparing a standard will in lieu of a donation to the hospice, which cares for patients with life-shortening illnesses across Herts and Bucks.

Kate Rogers, trusts and major gifts manager at The Hospice, said: "We’d like to thank all the solicitors and all the members of the public who took part for helping to raise vital funds which enable us to continue the valuable work we do.

"Our Make a Will month helps break down the barriers to making a will, making the process as easy and straightforward as possible, using friendly local solicitors who are able to guide people through the legal language and ensure their future wishes are taken care of.

"Make a Will month isn’t about leaving all your money to the hospice but if you do want to include a gift to help fund our work it’s a lovely way of helping others from your local community in the future."