SOLICITORS handling the will of the sister of famed singer Kathleen Ferrier say they are about to distribute the proceeds - 18 months after her death.

Winifred Ferrier, sister of the internationally renowned Blackburn contralto, died in 1995 at the age of 91, leaving £194,471 in her will.

She left almost £50,000 to the Kathleen Ferrier Society, set up in memory of the singer who died from cancer in 1953 at the age of 41.

But the Blackburn-based group said it was becoming concerned at the delay in the money being administered.

Chairman of the society, Sylvia Alexander, said: "The only details of the will we have had are those published in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in April 1996.

"It said the money was being divided between personal legatees, the society, the Kathleen Ferrier exhibition at Blackburn Museum and a hospital wing. "But we've had no correspondence telling us when or exactly how much money we will be getting."

Some of the money will be used to keep a bursary scheme running for young singers.

Barbara Thompson of Surrey-based solicitors Dixon Ward, who are handling the will, said: "I am extremely sorry for the delay but we are now almost ready to distribute.

"Unfortunately, an income tax form went missing and that caused us a delay. David Heather, who is an executor and cousin of the sisters, said he did not know if it was lost in the post or if he had mislaid it.

"I will be writing to the society to let them know the stage we are now at."

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