Movie star Sir Dirk Bogarde's sister has won an out-of-court settlement against her nephew to secure £500 a month from his fortune.

Sir Dirk paid Elizabeth Goodings, 77, of Wiston, near Steyning, a £500 monthly allowance up until his death from a heart attack two years ago.

But she claimed he failed to make reasonable financial provision for her in his will.

She was left £20,000 plus £2,000 per year.

At her home, Mrs Goodings said: "It's all been settled out of court.

"I was put out of joint for a bit because the situation was ridiculous but now everything is done and dusted."

The application was made against Sir Dirk's trustees, London solicitor George Harbottle and his nephew Brock Van Den Bogaerde, of Billingshurst.

Sir Dirk, who starred in 70 films and wrote 14 books, was knighted in 1992.

He left £859,648 gross in his will, the bulk of which went to Mr Van Den Bogaerde, son of his brother Gareth.

He also left two Picasso paintings to a close friend, Geneva businessman Anton Troxler.

Sir Dirk took up acting after the Second World War and gained many female fans through his Doctor In The House series.

He is best remembered for his roles in films such as the adaptation of Thomas Mann's novel Death In Venice.

During the Seventies Sir Dirk devoted his time to writing.

He moved back to Britain in the Eighties when his long-time companion and manager, Anthony Forwood, died of cancer.