A record 700 teams took part in the biggest Legal Walk ever last night, before descending on Carey Street and the Law Society HQ in Chancery Lane for a party afterwards.

Flanked by Society president Robert Bourns, lord chief justice Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd told walkers enjoying a well-deserved drink in the Reading Room that they had helped to raise £800,000 towards free legal advice services - beating last year's £740,000.

Yesterday's efforts 'shows what lawyers can do for those who do not have access to justice,' the lord chief justice said.

Bourns said: 'The London Legal Walk is a great way for us to come together to support charities that provide legal advice day in, day out, helping a hugely diverse range of people, many of them vulnerable and facing frightening legal situations. And remember those least able to afford legal advice can often be in most urgent need of it. Solicitors and the wider legal profession are committed to helping them.'

Vicky Ling, chief executive of the London Legal Support Trust (LSST), said the event is set to raise more than £800,000. ‘We are delighted that the legal profession has again risen to the challenge and have turned out in even greater numbers than before.

‘Free legal advice services change people’s lives, providing them with expert help to reduce debt, poverty and homelessness, and combat discrimination and injustice. LLST work with the charities we fund to ensure every pound raised goes as far as it possibly can.’