Hepburn to remain in hospital

Hepburn, pictured in 1992: Winner of four Oscars

Katherine Hepburn is to remain in hospital to give doctors more time to monitor her ability to walk.

The Hollywood legend was expected to be discharged in the next week.

Hepburn is known as the first lady of American cinema

She was admitted to Hartford Hospital, in Connecticut, on Wednesday for treatment of a urinary infection.

Although doctors said her infection had "cleared up nicely" her mobility has been affected after four days in a hospital bed.

Doctors have not said exactly when Hepburn will be discharged from hospital.

'Stable'

Hepburn, who lives in Old Saybrook, near Hartford, was taken to the hospital after being seen by her own doctor at a clinic in the town.

On Wednesday last week hospital spokesman James Battaglio said: "There is no cause for alarm. She is comfortable and stable."

During her 60-year career, Hepburn was nominated for Academy Awards a record 12 times - an achievement equalled only by Meryl Streep.

She has won Oscars for Morning Glory (1933), Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), A Lion in Winter (1968) and On Golden Pond (1981).

Rare interview

Her last film was Love Affair in 1994.

In a rare interview to a New York newspaper last year, Hepburn denied occasional rumours that her health was failing and that she was bed-ridden.

"I am OK", she told the New York Post, adding: "Tell everyone I am doing fine."

She said she was still a big eater and enjoyed home-made meals prepared by her cook.

Oscar glory

In her early films Hepburn often portrayed strong female characters.

She won the first of her Oscars at the age of 24 in her third picture, Morning Glory.

Her forthright style has lent itself equally to drama and comedy, and she starred opposite Cary Grant in the 1930s screwball comedy, Bringing Up Baby.

She won an unprecedented fourth Oscar for her performance in On Golden Pond, a remarkable portrait of a resolute woman growing old with grace and grit.