Elizabeth Taylor's personal items to be auctioned off

Dame Elizabeth Taylor's personal possessions are to be sold at auction.

Items belonging to the Cleopatra actress - who died on March 23 of congestive heart failure at the age of 79 - will be taken on a world tour by auction house Christie's for three months before being sold over four days in New York City in December.

Marc Porter, chairman of Christie's Americas, noted the collection would help bring her fans "closer" to her.

He said: "A rare woman who was at once an international film and fashion star, loving mother, successful businesswoman and generous humanitarian, this collection of her many cherished possessions will bring us closer to the essence of Elizabeth Taylor's unique spirit.

"It promises to inspire admiration, delight and at times, sheer wonder in all who come to see it."

Following the tour, the collection - which is expected to include clothing, art and other memorabilia - will be available for view at Christie's Rockefeller Center Gallery, with four days of auctions taking place from December 13 to 16.

Some of the proceeds from the sale will go towards the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS foundation - which she set up in 1993.

- BANG! Showbiz