Wills and probate news: Heir to Bernard Matthews revealed

Details of Bernard Matthews' will and probate of his estate have been revealed.

The businessman, founder of the Bernard Matthews turkey empire, left most of his £40.5 million estate to his illegitimate son, Frederick Elgershuizen.

Earlier this year, Mr Elgershuizen told the Daily Mirror that he did not know how his father's empire would be divided up.

It is not yet known if his other family members, including widow Joyce and adopted children Kathleen, Jason and Victoria, will be contesting probate.

Mr Elgershuizen, 29, is now the largest shareholder in his father's poultry company, Bernard Matthews Holdings Ltd, after receiving a 38 per cent stake in the firm.

In contrast, the widow of Mr Matthews only has a 32 per cent stake in the business, which will continue to be owned by the loved ones of its late founder.

Noel Bartram, chief executive of the company, wrote in a statement: "The company continues to be a family-owned business, managed by its board in the interest of all the shareholders."

Published by Hannah Carr