The actor Tom Cruise and his wife the actress Nicole Kidman have won undisclosed damages after bringing a libel action against the British newspaper group, Express Newspapers.

One of the group's papers had published a story alleging that the couple's marriage was a sham to cover up their homosexuality.

It also alleged that Mr Cruise was impotent and sterile.

The group later accepted that the allegations had been false and should never have been published.

After the case Mr Cruise said he had brought the case to protect his family.

He said the damages awarded would be given to charity.