Catherine Zeta-Jones is planning to pay thousands of pounds for her sick cousin to fly out to the US for medical treatment.

Kelly Hinder, a teacher, will visit the US so that specialists can operate on an unknown kidney problem.

Kelly told The Mirror, "I don't know what's wrong. That's why I've got to go over to America. They're going to have a thorough investigation. I have been having lots of kidney pain and I'm looking forward to getting it sorted out."

Catherine apparently became close to Kelly at the funeral of their grandmother, four years ago.

"It's a very kind gesture from Catherine and she really doesn't want to make a big deal about it," a source explained. "Family is very important to her."