The RSPCA has lost its appeal against the High Court ruling that overturned the will of a woman who left her £2m farm to the charity.

The Court of Appeal agreed with the High Court decision that the 287-acre farm should be inherited by the woman’s daughter, lecturer Dr Christine Gill (pictured), and not by the RSPCA.

In October 2009 the High Court had overturned the will, agreeing with Dr Gill’s argument that her mother had been forced into making the will by her domineering husband and would actually have wanted to leave the legacy to her daughter.

The RSPCA decided to appeal against the decision, claiming that it had a duty to its beneficiaries to try to secure the legacy for charitable purposes.

But after a one-day hearing yesterday, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court ruling, though it will not publish its detailed reasons until a later date.

After the appeal hearing, Dr Gill released a statement which said: “It was a matter of huge regret and disappointment to me and my family that the RSPCA chose not to accept the original decision, forcing us to endure another court hearing.

“We can now settle back into our lives on the family farm that I love, and which I have dedicated many years to maintaining.”

In a statement, RSPCA chief executive Mark Watts said: “The RSPCA is convinced that on the basis of evidence submitted to the High Court, Mrs Gill’s testamentary wishes were clear.”