A Watchet solicitors has urged people to make sure they have a will that is up to date.

It comes as research from Will Aid revealed that 56 per cent of adults in the South West either do not have one at all, or if they do it is out of date.

The poll, which surveyed more than 2,000 people across the country, found 48 per cent in the South West haven't made a will, and 8 per cent admitted theirs did not reflect their current wishes.

Nationally, the figures showed 56 per cent of people haven't made a will, with a further 11 per cent whose will is out of date.

Deborah Schmieder, of Hollam Solicitors in Watchet, said: "Having a will is essential for ensuring your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones and keeping that document up to date is vital, especially when circumstances in your life change.

"Common reasons for updating your will might include the death of a relative, divorce or separation, having children or gaining stepchildren.

"We advise you to regularly review your will to make sure it still outlines your wishes."

Financial pressures seem to be holding people back, with 21 per cent citing the cost of instructing a solicitor as the reason they haven’t sorted a will.

Other reasons included believing they had nothing worth leaving (27 per cent), never finding the time (18.5 per cent), feeling uncomfortable talking about death (16 per cent) and concerns about the process being too complicated (16 per cent).

(Image: Will Aid)

Nationally, the average time since people last updated their wills is six years, with nearly 20 per cent admitting they’ve never updated theirs.

Only a third (34 per cent) of those surveyed have updated their will in the past three years.

The annual Will Aid campaign sees solicitors across the UK volunteering their time to write wills throughout November.

Ms Schmieder said: "Will Aid is the perfect opportunity to have your will professionally drawn up or to have it updated, while supporting charities that help some of the most vulnerable people in the UK and abroad."

Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid campaign director, added: "Making a will is a final loving act for those you care about.

"It provides a clear plan and guidance for your family after you're gone.

"The statistics on outdated wills are worrying, because circumstances change, and it's crucial to keep your documents up to date to ensure they reflect your current situation."