Emmanuelle director: 'Sylvia Kristel was a sister to me'

Dutch actress Sylvia Kristel, who starred in the 1974 erotic French film Emmanuelle, has died aged 60.

The actress, who had cancer, was admitted to hospital in July after suffering a stroke. Her agent said she died in her sleep.

Emmanuelle, which told the story of a sexually promiscuous housewife, spawned numerous sequels and played in a cinema on the Champs-Elysees for 11 years.

The film's director Just Jaeckin said: "I'm sad because she was part of my life."

Jaeckin said Kristel was criticised when the film was released but he says now the film is considered "a classic".