Film star Cate Blanchett has helped raise more than £1,000 towards a new outdoor theatre.

The actress donated the watch she wore during the shooting of her latest movie, Babel, to Elm Grove Primary School, Brighton, after hearing about its fund-raising campaign.

The school sold the watch on auction web site eBay and it was snapped up for £1,021.

The money will help pay the school's share of the costs of the new amphitheatre.

The theatre, which has been built in the school grounds, will open this afternoon, with performances by the school samba band and choir.

Cathy Nicholas, who bought the watch, is an Australian doctor living in London.

She said: "I bought it because Cate Blanchett is the most talented actress in the world. She's beautiful, elegant, poised and Australian."

Headteacher John Lynch said the money raised by the sale would be vital for meeting the school's £1,500 share of the £52,000 cost of the theatre.

The rest of the money has come from Brighton and Hove City Council.

He said: "It's unbelievable a celebrity of such standing should help a small school like Elm Grove. The school community is extremely grateful for her help and I hope one day she comes to visit and sees the facility in use."