BAFTA to honour Elizabeth Taylor

"To honour a British star of the national treasure status of Miss Taylor is a downright thrill," said BAFTA, LA chairman Gary Dartnell.

As previously announced, actor Tom Cruise will receive BAFTA's Stanley Kubrick Britannia award for film. Mike Newell will be given the John Schlesinger Britannia for directing at the same event, to be held on November 10.

Born in London in 1932, Dame Elizabeth began acting in films at the age of eight and enjoyed her first big success with National Velvet in 1944. She received Oscars for her roles in 1960's Butterfield 8 and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 1967. She also won a BAFTA for the latter film.

Made a dame in 2000, she retired from acting in 2003 but continues to campaign for Aids research.