AN ACTRESS once married to film director Ken Russell has lost her claim for a share of Dorset sculptress’s £2,285,000 will.

Hetty Baynes, 52, wanted an inheritance as a ''dependant'' of the late Mary Spencer Watson, who had a lesbian relationship with her mother.

But three Court of Appeal judges dismissed the case, ruling that Ms Baynes was not entitled to make a claim as a dependent and Miss Watson had not failed to make reasonable provision for her in her will.

The actress had claimed that Miss Watson treated her as her daughter throughout her life, and was supporting her financially at the time of her death in March 2006, aged 92.

But all she received in the will was a £2,500 gift from the estate. The value of the estate was mainly due to Miss Watson's home, Dunshay Manor near Worth Matravers in Purbeck.

Miss Watson was the daughter of artist George Spencer Watson RA, who bought the 17th century manor and cottages with 40 acres of grazing and woodland in 1923.

Sir Andrew Morritt, Chancellor of the High Court, said Miss Watson had bequeathed the manor to the Landmark Trust, a charity which protects ancient and interesting buildings, to stop it being broken up.

The judge said Miss Watson had been generous to Ms Baynes and her mother, Margot, throughout their lives, buying the actress a flat in west London when she was 22.

''Both before the marriage to Ken Russell and after their separation Mary lent substantial sums to Hetty,” he said.

Sir Andrew Morritt said he agreed with the judge who heard the case at the High Court in 2008 that Miss Watson did not fail to make reasonable financial provision for Ms Baynes.

Mr Justice Lewison had said in the 2008 ruling that Miss Watson had made no firm commitment of any sort to Ms Baynes.

''In my judgment, she exploited Mary's generosity at the end of 2005 and the early part of 2006 and brought pressure to bear on her to bail her out yet again.''