LEGENDERY writer Catherine Cookson left more than £20m to charity, but the people in charge of dishing out the cash refuse to say how it will be spent.

Since the author's death, only one payment has been confirmed, a £1,000 pay-out to a pre-school playgroup in Northumberland.

Trustees of her fortune insist that other payments have been made but refuse to discuss them.

Dame Catherine, who died two years ago this month of a rare blood disorder, was a tireless campaigner for charity.

The trusts's secretary, solicitor Peter Magnay, said the accounts had not yet been completed.

He added: "She did good things when she was alive and she tended to favour telling people what she had done. She had books to sell.

"As far as the trust is concerned, the exact opposite is the case."

And despite having more than £20m in their coffers - capable of earning a further £1m every 18 months - the trust refuses to reveal details of donations it has made