A firm of Sussex solicitors is offering clients the chance to make their wills on video.

Clients will be taped reading and signing their last will and testament and may even explain the reasons behind it.

The scheme is being introduced at Brighton firm Aldrich, Crowther and Wood in Preston Road, Brighton, in a bid to end family disputes over controversial legacies.

It is the brainchild of senior partner Richard Dyson, 55.

He said: "This won't be necessary for most people but where it might help is when there has been a long-running dispute.

"We have had cases where families haven't spoken to each other for ten years and nobody can remember the reason why.

"When it comes to a will this can cause problems. For example, if there are three kids and money gets left to two of them but one gets left out."

With 32 years' experience dealing with wills, Mr Dyson admitted there was nothing like money to bring out the worst in people.

He said: "The problem will never stop because not everyone has money and if there is any around people invariably feel they should have some.

"Videoing someone could be seen as a bit macabre but it's there to prevent aggravation."

Last week a judge at Lewes Crown Court threw out allegations of blackmail after ruling a dispute about a legacy was a family matter.

Two Brighton brothers fell out about £30,000 in their grandmother's will.

Mr Dyson, who will record clients using a digital camera, said: "That could have been an ideal case for a video.

"When these disputes happen it would show the person making the will was in sound mind and not unduly influenced by someone else."

Participants would be able to explain the reasoning behind their will, something solicitors are normally prevented from doing because of client confidentiality, even after death.

But Mr Dyson is adamant his firm's video wills service will not turn into a slanging match from beyond the grave.

He said: "I certainly don't want people being slagged off - we wouldn't have that all all.

"It's a way of showing somebody is capable of signing their will at the time and not a way of getting back at their relatives."

The scheme, which will cost about £50 on top of the price of a normal will, has yet to be taken up by clients.

Mr Dyson said: "Whether it will catch on I just don't know. We just thought it might be a novel way of preventing potential problems."