Heston vows to keep working

Heston received a call of support from President Bush

Actor Charlton Heston has said he does not plan to retire despite beginning to show signs of Alzheimer's Disease.

The screen legend said he had several film projects in the pipeline, including an animated version of Ben Hur, for which he would provide an introduction and narration.

Heston in his Oscar-winning role of Ben Hur

Heston won an Oscar in 1959 for his performance in the original, and has appeared in more than 100 films during his career.

But he said he realised that his memory and mental abilities were likely to begin to deteriorate.

"I feel the way I have been always feeling," he said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

"Now, I understand the chances are very slim that they will remain that way."

He has been filming the lead part of Nazi doctor Josef Mengele for the upcoming movie Papa Rua Alguem 5555, and told the newspaper he would be involved in another movie project in the autumn.

Nancy Reagan called Heston and his wife Lydia

Earlier in August, he revealed that he had been suffering symptoms consistent with the degenerative brain disorder.

In a taped statement, he said: "I wanted to prepare a few words for you now because when the time comes I may not be able to.

"If I tell you a funny story for the second time, please laugh anyway."

He also plans to continue to campaign for both Republican and Democrat candidates as president of the National Rifle Association.

The support he had received had been overwhelming, he told the newspaper.

'Proud'

He had a phone call from former first lady Nancy Reagan, whose husband Ronald suffers from Alzheimer's, while another call from President Bush meant "a great deal", he said.

"He wished me well and was proud of what I had done for my country, which is, perhaps, overstating it a little."

Nancy Reagan gave Heston and his wife, Lydia, her private phone number and encouraged them to call.

"She didn't really need to do that. After all, she's the president's wife," he said.

Heston found fame as an actor starring in such films as El Cid, Planet of the Apes and as Moses in The Ten Commandments.