The balance of a pre-war will has been distributed to worthy causes across Watford – more than 70 years after its author died.

James Eden, a wealthy local businessman, decreed before his death in 1937 that his estate should be held in trust for his children. Any monies that survived them, he asked, should be used to “help the poor of the Borough of Watford.”

When the last of his children passed away, executors were left scratching their heads at how best to carry out Mr Eden’s last wish, and turned to the Watford Rotary Club.

The club, which raises many thousands of pounds for charity each year, secured £5,000 for the Watford New Hope Trust (WNHT), which supports homeless and vulnerable people across the town.

Another £1,000 has been donated to the Bowley Charity, which helps needy children and their families.

Rotary club president Mike Hammond said: “The lawyers didn’t really know what to do so they contacted us for help. Watford has changed a lot over that time so we had to think hard about who to give the money to.

“We could think of no charity better-placed than WNHT to serve ‘the poor of Watford’. I have seen their good work first hand and know it is a marvellous cause which Watford Rotary Club is proud to support”.

Mike Smith, chief executive officer of the WNHT, said: “We are so grateful to Watford Rotary Club for thinking of us, particularly at this very difficult time when homelessness is on the increase and our funding is decreasing.

“This £5,000 grant will enable us to feed around 65 homeless and vulnerable people every day at our day centre for an entire year – a cost which is kept to just £5k per year thanks to the generous support that we receive from the local community during Harvest time.”