Make a will week organisers are determined to have an impact on static statistics on will-making and in the process help lawyers break into a huge potential market.A massive 70% of the British adult population has not made a will and four previous Law Society campaigns have failed to persuade people to consult their solicitors in greater numbers.This year the attack is two-pronged.

First, a public information campaign will raise awareness of the importance of making a will and also explain the practicalities.Secondly, the organisers are trying to attract previously neglected markets.

The Law Society has linked up with BBC Radio 2, enabling them to print public information leaflets in Hindu, Urdu and Welsh.

And the Royal National Institute for the Blind is offering a 'See it right' award to solicitors who print information in braille.This more caring, less daring, approach to make a will week marks a turnabout from the campaign during the first three years which featured the controversial blue lycra-clad superhero Will Power.The Law Society's head of public relations Sue Stapley said: 'We began make a will week as a very populist campaign because we wanted to address the areas which were putting people off making a will -- anything to do with death was unpleasant.'After the third year that approach had outlived its usefulness.

Instead we focused on the importance of tax planning advice, telling people that they would lose money if they did not make a will.

The public no longer resists the idea of ma king a will because they are spooked by the thought of death.

'A recent Gallup poll showed that people are aware that they should be making a will but they still are not going out and doing it.

This time we will make some impact on the statistics.'Make a will week was launched in 1991 following a Gallup survey commissioned by the Law Society which showed that only 31% of the British adult population had made a will, and that this figure was barely higher for those in the 35 to 54 age group.

These figures have remained steady over the last four years of the make a will week campaign.After 1991, Law Society funds for make a will week were slashed from £200,000 to £20,000.

But for the first time in four years organisers are now able to print free public information leaflets because they are running the week in conjunction with Radio 2.The station is putting on a 'Wills week' as part of its commitment to community action.

Radio 2 already produces background leaflets to programmes in Urdu and Hindu because they are the two most widely spoken first languages in the country after English.

They are also committed to publishing in Welsh.Presenter Warren Mitchell will be fronting Radio 2's 'Wills week' programmes, called Signed, Sealed and Delivered after the Stevie Wonder song.

He will present short packages written by Jonny Speight that will be broadcast during day-time programmes, including the Jimmy Young Show.

The aim is to illustrate why it is necessary to make a will and how to do it.Radio programmes will also highlight some of the problem areas surrounding wills.

On Friday, Radio 2's free helpline will be open to give advice with sole practitioner Bill Thomas, and Andrew Philips of Biltwells Braithwaite.Solicitors who produce wills in braille may get a 'See it right' kitemark from the RNIB to use with their publicity.

The RNIB is launching its 'See it right' award for solicitors, which will be presented by the Duke of Westminster next spring, to coincide with make a will week.The award aims to encourage law firms to make information available to blind and partially sighted people in a form which they can read; large print, braille, tape or computer diskette or by offering to read the information on request.Sebastain Wilberforce, a solicitor working for the RNIB's wills and legacies advisory service, said: 'Individuals' first point of contact with solicitors is often with regard to making a will.

This ties in with our service which gives will-making advice to visually impaired people and refers them to solicitors near their homes for more detailed advice and to have the wills drawn up.'-- For information on the 'See it right' award contact the RNIB on 0171 388 1266.

'See it right', an RNIB publication with practical advice for firms, is available from Nana Yerassimou at the public policy department on 0171 388 1266 ext 2436.-- The Society is also asking MPs to take action against some will-writing companies which, it alleges, often only offer will-writing services as a front for selling expensive funeral insurance.

It also complains that some companies charge for storage and have been known to lose wills.CAUTIONARY TALE OF ACTRESS'S WILLThe case of the notorious will of actress Jill Bennett sent shivers through firms all over the country last week when London solicitors Lipkin Gorman agreed a court-door settlement of £185,000 damages without admitting liability.Ms Bennett's hairdresser and secretary had claimed that the law firm was negligent in failing to draw up a new will leaving them property before she died five years ago.Ms Bennett's entire £600,000 estate went to Battersea Dogs Home because she refused to go into the office to discuss terms, saying she looked to awful to be seen.

Instead, she left instructions and a signed, blank will form.A spokesman for the Solicitors Indemnity Fund, which provided cover for the firm, said: 'We do not anticipate an increase in claims of this kind.

It does not set any sort of legal precedent.

People have always looked for ways to get around wills.'Reynold Chart of Reynolds Porter Chamberlain said: 'In this case the solicitor in question had instructions from the client but she did not want to discuss them.

We argued that there could be no conflict in this case.

It was different from cases where the client wanted to discuss the will and the solicitor just sat on it.'Unfortunately, in this case the solicitor had not sent a letter confirming the client's wishes.

Solicitors should always confirm everything in writing, particularly when dealing with an elderly or confused client.'