Image copyright AP Image caption Mr Murray has been the centre of media attention for much of his career

Hollywood actor Bill Murray has offered to pay for mobile phones he allegedly threw from a rooftop California bar after their owners tried to take photos of him.

Mr Murray was annoyed by camera flashes after fans spotted him at the lounge in the seaside town of Carmel, reports say.

He is alleged to have grabbed at least two phones before throwing them.

Police reportedly spoke to the star but have decided not to press charges.

The owners were happy to be compensated rather than press charges, the TMZ website quoted police as saying.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption The Chicago-born actor has won numerous awards since the beginning of his career in the 1970s

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The actor and writer is best known for his comedy roles

The website said the actor was "hanging out" on Thursday at the Vesuvio rooftop lounge, "a popular watering hole for celebs" playing in an annual golf tournament.

Californian broadcaster KSBW reported that a tequila party hosted by the actor and singer Justin Timberlake was being held at the venue.

The owner of the restaurant told TMZ that Mr Murray had not been drinking at the bar but got angry when "a few patrons got star struck and took his picture".

"The flashes were going off only 10 feet away from Bill," the owner said, "and he got so angry he got up and chucked their phones off the second storey rooftop."

A police spokesman told People that officers were called to "a disturbance" but that Mr Murray had already left by the time they arrived.

Image copyright Getty Images

Bill Murray

Actor, comedian, and writer best known for classic comedies including Stripes (1981), Tootsie (1982), Ghostbusters (1984) and Groundhog Day (1993)

Won plaudits for his role in Lost in Translation (2003) - Academy Award nomination for Best Actor

Found fame in the 1970s on Saturday Night Live

Took four years off from acting in the 1980s to study philosophy and history in Paris

Divorced twice, he has eight siblings - three of whom are actors

An avid sports fan, part-owner of numerous minor league baseball teams and is a keen golfer

Source: Hollywoodlife.com