THE Court of Appeal has today upheld a High Court decision to overturn a mother’s will which left a £2m family farm to the RSPCA.

In October 2009, The High Court overturned the will of Joyce Gill, ruling that it was invalid and that she had made a will that was contrary to her own wishes.

The RSPCA challenged the decision, but it was today upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Mrs Gill's daughter, Christine, who brought the original court action, said: “I am delighted that the Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court decision to overturn my mother’s will. "It was a matter of huge regret and disappointment to me and my family that the RSPCA chose not to accept the original decision, forcing us to endure another court hearing.

"We can now settle back into our lives on the family farm that I love, and which I have dedicated many years to maintaining”.

The family farm, at Potto, near Northallerton, was valued at more than £2m.

Full story in tomorrow's Northern Echo