Lawyers handling Marlon Brando's will have warned those named as beneficiaries to keep a united front or risk losing money to others claiming some of the dead actor's $21.6 million (GBP12 million) estate.

At least five or six potential creditors have reportedly informed the estate they intend to file claims, including Tahitian-based airline AIR MOOREA and JOAN PETRONE, a longtime friend who also worked as a personal assistant to Brando for many years.

And lawyer DAVID SEELEY tells news agency REUTERS, "I suspect there's going to be a whole lot more than that."

Seeley says Air Moorea will seek roughly $460,000 (GBP255,500) in business costs - which it claims Brando owed the company for flying tourists to the Tahitian atoll he purchased in 1966.

Petrone is thought to be seeking reimbursement for a $3,000 (GBP1,700) diamond and platinum ring that she lost down the drain while chopping up vegetables over the kitchen sink about 10 years ago.

Brando died on 1 July (04) at age 80.

24/09/2004 19:22