The stepson of actress Elizabeth Taylor has become embroiled in a row with Customs after his 3,200 duty-free cigarettes were confiscated.

Michael Simon-Wilding from Hastings - whose British father Michael Wilding was married to screen idol Liz from 1952 to 1957 - was returning from France last month with his wife when he was stopped by Customs at Dover.

Mr Simon-Wilding said: "They didn't care for our reasons for travelling and confiscated all our cigarettes because we each had one carton over the suggested guidelines.

"It is outrageous and it is illegal. It is not a limit, it is a guideline.

"I am prepared to go to any lengths to get the cigarettes back, not for the £400 I spent but for the principle."

Brendon Salsbury, of solicitors Funell and Perring, of Hastings, represents Mr Simon-Wilding.

Mr Salsbury said: "We are in the process of an appeal for the return of the goods.

"They confiscated 3,200 cigarettes from Mr Simon-Wilding and his wife. The guidelines recommend a limit of 1,300 or 1,400 for each individual."

Mr Simon-Wilding and his wife had made several trips to France between November and December to visit his son, who is believed to have been ill.

Nigel Knott, a spokesman for South-East Customs and Excise, confirmed the incident had occurred.

He said: "Because this is a live case we are unable to offer any comments."