Vanessa Redgrave has said a theatre award in Natasha Richardson's name "honoured and celebrated" her late daughter's life.

Vanessa introduced the London Evening Standard Theatre award for best actress, which was renamed this year to honour the late film and theatre actress Natasha, who died in March following a fall during a skiing trip.

Presenting the award to winner Rachel Weisz, Vanessa gave a moving speech and received a standing ovation at the Royal Opera House.

Vanessa said she was happy the award now carried her daughter's name and that her life as an actress is "honoured and celebrated ...

"It is a wonderful thing to do and thank you so much."

The Oscar-winning actress said that other members of Richardson's family, including her sister actress Joely and husband Liam Neeson were also "glad and proud and grateful".

Rachel accepted her award from Romania where she is playing the lead role in a new film, The Whistleblowers.

She said: "I'm so thrilled and honoured to receive this tremendous award.

"Thank you so much to the Evening Standard. It is even more of an honour because this is the first year that the award has been named after the great and much, much-loved Natasha Richardson."

The ceremony celebrates the cream of London theatre and previous awards recipients also include Vanessa herself, and Gwyneth Paltrow.