Sir Sean Connery is using his personal website to seek funds for the Scottish National Party.

The renowned actor and avowed nationalist has listed three favoured causes on his site and encourages users to lend their support.

They are the SNP, the Scottish International Educational Trust and the Friends of Scotland.

Sir Sean also asks donors to the SNP website to consider including details of friends who might also wish to donate.

Sir Sean lists three favourite causes

Writing on the site, the former James Bond actor said: "The Scottish National Party depends on thousands of ordinary people like you, so your support as an individual makes a big difference!

"Above all, right now we need to get the SNP's message to as many people as possible who might also want to give their support.

"And you almost certainly know some of them! So most importantly, please think of at least one and as many friends as you can who might also like to hear from me."

'Interest in Scotland'

The page includes a link to his appeal for funds for the Scottish parliamentary elections in 2003 on the SNP website where users can make a donation.

An SNP spokesman said: "Sean Connery is a famous supporter of the SNP and it is no surprise that he's looking to encourage people to back independence."

Users are invited to donate to the US charity Friends of Scotland which seeks to "create, stimulate, and sustain an interest in Scotland and its history".

Donations of more than $500 earn the user a personalised, signed letter of thanks.

He also promotes the Scottish International Educational Trust which provides "millions of dollars for scholarships to young Scots and Scottish institutions".