ITV news star Robert Peston is encouraging lawyers in Surrey to join a national campaign to encourage people to make a will.

The economics analyst and news show host joined the Will Aid campaign after the deaths of his wife and father, and said he would like to see more law firms in the country support the project.

Running in the UK each November, Will Aid helps people who need help arranging a will connect with legal firms.

According to the campaign, some 49 per cent of people in the UK do not have a will – and the Covid-19 pandemic has seen a surge in demand for help from local solicitors.

Firms taking part in Will Aid offer their time and expertise to the campaign for a suggested voluntary client donation of £100 for a single will or £180 for a pair of mirror wills. The campaign also donate to a number of other causes including ActionAid, British Red Cross and the NSPCC.

"Getting involved in Will Aid not only helps protect someone’s wishes, but helps vulnerable people across the UK access the support they need," Peston said ahead of this year's campaign launch.

"Writing a will can be an upsetting experience, but it helps to ease pain and disruption – something so many of us have experienced throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

"I would urge solicitors in Surrey to get involved this year and help more people through these exceptional times we find ourselves living in," he added.

Game of Thrones star Iain Glen and Surrey resident Dame Judi Dench are also supporters of the campaign, which is led by Campaign Director Peter de Vena Franks.

"The pandemic has seen people across the country realise the importance of having a will to ensure their end-of-life wishes are respected," de Vena Franks said. "It has unfortunately also seen the workload of our chosen charities increase significantly, and they need our support more than ever. Will Aid provides solicitors a fantastic opportunity to help transform the lives of thousands of vulnerable people through our charity partners, and I urge more firms in Surrey to get involved this November."

Click here for more information on Will Aid and how to take part.