Spielberg backs gay marriage campaign

Steven Spielberg has given a cash boost to a drive to ensure that gay couples can continue to marry in the US state of California.

The filmmaker and wife Kate Capshaw donated £54,000 to the anti-Proposition 8 campaign, reports OK!.

The high-profile backing follows a similar donation made by Brad Pitt to the cause last week.

A vote will be taken in November which could overturn the California Supreme Court's May decision to legalise same-sex marriages in the state.

"By writing discrimination into our state constitution, Proposition 8 seeks to eliminate the right of each and every citizen in our state to marry regardless of sexual orientation.

"Such discrimination has no place in California's constitution, or any other," the couple said in a written statement.