Hilary du Pre, whose controversial memoir of her sister is now an Oscar-nomin- ated film, has been accused of abandoning a family friend who gave her £30,000.

Hilary, 56, who was born in Beechcroft Road, Oxford, and now lives in Newbury, accepted the money two years ago when her business was in trouble and she and her husband Kiffer faced the loss of their home.

It is understood that Miss du Pre has refused a request for money from Mrs Myrtle Grange-Bennett, 86, of Poole, Dorset.

Despite the success of her book, A Genius in the Family and the film Hilary and Jackie, Miss du Pre, 56, has told cannot afford to return the £30,000.

In a letter to Mrs Grange-Bennett, in a lettershe wrote: "This marvellous film Hilary and Jackie will not, despite what you have heard, generate money for me."

Brilliant cellist Jacqueline du Pre gained world-wide fame for her solo performances and the du Pre building stands in her memory at St Hilda's College, where she was an honorary fellow.

She married conductor Daniel Barenboim in 1967 but her life was brought to a premature end in 1987, when she died aged 42 from multiple sclerosis.

Mrs Grange-Bennett's late husband Norman was a cousin and best friend of Derek du Pre, the father of Hilary, Jacqueline and their brother Piers.

Actress Emily Watson plays Jacqueline du Pre in the film which has taken £500,000 at the UK box office and $3.5m in the United States.

Story date: Saturday 20 February

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