Theatre named in Ledger's honour

Ledger starred in The Dark Knight, his final film role before he died

The late Australian actor Heath Ledger has had a new performing arts centre in his hometown of Perth named after him for his commitment to acting.

Ledger's father Kim attended a naming ceremony for the 575-seat theatre.

"I really feel that there's not a lot of things he'd put his name to but he'd put his name to that," he said.

Ledger, who starred in the 2005 movie Brokeback Mountain died, aged 28, of an accidental prescription drug overdose in New York in January.

Grieving process

Politician Alan Carpenter said: "Heath Ledger was totally dedicated to the craft of being an actor and that's what made him successful."

Mr Ledger said family members would attend a screening in New York later this month for his son's last completed film, the Dark Knight.

He added the grieving process has been made harder with the public attention surrounding the movie.

"It's been a little bit hard, but we've always been extremely proud of his work and that hasn't changed."

Ledger received an Oscar nomination for his role in the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain.

The Dark Knight opens in the UK on 25 July.