A big-hearted brother and sister who lived a modest life in a north Lancashire village have surprised residents by leaving more than £1 million to the community.

Churchgoer Richard Wilson, who died aged 84, shortly after losing his sister Betty, bequeathed his £988,000 fortune - which is now worth more than £1.1 million - to his home village of Warton.

Three years on from his death, the Elizabeth and Richard Wilson Charitable Trust has now been set up and, while the bulk of the money will be invested, trustees are inviting eligible residents to apply for a share of the £50,000 annual interest.

While around £15,000 a year will stay in Warton and be used for educational grants and the upkeep of the parish church and Methodist Chapel - where the siblings worshipped - the remaining thousands can be used in the wider Lancaster and Morecambe area for youth, charitable and religious groups.

For full story see March 16 Westmorland Gazette.