Media tycoon Ted Turner and actress Jane Fonda have announced they are separating, but not divorcing, after eight years of marriage.

"While we continue to be committed to the long-term success of our marriage, we find ourselves at a juncture where we must take some personal time for ourselves" the couple said in a statement.

"Therefore, we have mutually decided to spend some time apart. We ask that you respect this decision," they said.

Miss Fonda, 62, and Mr Turner, 61 married on 21 December 1991, in the third marriage for both.

Ted Turner founded the global television news channel CNN in 1980, and is vice-chairman of the Time Warner media conglomerate.

Miss Fonda, a liberal activist during the Vietnam war, starred in films such as Klute and Barbarella, and has made numerous exercise videos.