Endowment, cash in or keep going.

Hi all,

Several years ago I wanted to buy a house so I took out an endowment policy in preparation for buying an house. Due to work, I ended up living abroad for 15 years but kept paying into the policy but never actually buying a house.

Now I'm back in the UK and an wondering what the best thing to do is. The policy was with L&G and the last statement put the total at £89k.

Should I cash this in now and use it as part of a deposit on a house or should I wait until it matures, 5 years or so.

I'm guessing there are tax implications for cashing it in?

Thanks in advance!