The trustees of a charity launched by Jimmy Savile have that advised his estate has been frozen as victims of his alleged abuse seek damages, preventing the distribution of funds from the charity as it winds up.

The trustees of the Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust, three of which are shared by the Jimmy Savile Stoke Mandeville Hospital Trust, advised on 23 October that the two charities would be would up following negative publicity circling child sexual abuse allegations against the late tv personality. The charities' remaining funds were to be distributed between charitable beneficiaries the trustees have committed to support.

But in a statement this morning solicitors for the charities, PWT Advice, said: "The trustees of the Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust are saddened that the estate has been frozen, as this will delay the distribution to charities and good causes. Any claims brought against the estate could clearly reduce the amount of money available for charity. The trustees will be seeking legal advice as to how best to protect the charity's funds."

A spokeswoman for the law firm advised the Jimmy Savile Stoke Mandeville Hospital Trust would not be affected, as it isn't a beneficiary of the estate. 

Jimmy Savile's estate, along with the BBC and Stoke Mandeville Hospital were issued with formal notice of legal action from 43 victims seeking damages for abuse on Monday.

Alicia Alinia, a child abuse solicitor at the firm acting for the majority of claimants, Russell Jones & Walker, said on Monday: Savile’s will and beneficiaries and Alicia said that "it’s not about the money for the victims but about recognition and being believed by society and their own family".