Elizabeth Taylor admitted to hospital

The Oscar-winning actress was being treated at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center yesterday, her spokeswoman Sally Morrison said.

The 78-year-old Taylor first disclosed in November 2004 that she suffered from congestive heart failure, compounded by spinal fractures and the effects of scoliosis.

Morrison did not know how long Taylor would be in the hospital.

Taylor had been scheduled to attend a benefit gala Wednesday night in New York, where she was to receive an award alongside president Bill Clinton and designer Diane von Furstenberg, celebrating their dedication to Aids research. Elton John accepted the honour on her behalf.

The actress had near-fatal bouts with pneumonia in 1961 and 1990. In recent years, she has had to use a wheelchair when out in public.