Oscar-winning actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor has revealed on her page on Twitter that she is to undergo heart surgery.

The Cleopatra star said the procedure would involve "repairing my leaky valve using a clip device, without open heart surgery, so that my heart will function better".

The National Velvet actress, made an honorary Dame by the Queen in 2000, has suffered from a number of health problems in recent years and is confined to a wheelchair due to her osteoporosis.

A mother-of-four, she has broken her back five times, had a benign brain tumour removed and suffers from diabetes and congestive heart failure.

Taylor, 77, said she had announced her impending surgery on Twitter to allow her followers to learn of the operation "before it gets in the papers".

She added: "Any prayers you happen to have lying around I would dearly appreciate.

"I’ll let you know when it’s all over. Love you, Elizabeth."

The actress made a rare public appearance last month, attending the funeral of her long-time friend Michael Jackson.

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