Theatre and film actor Sir Donald Sinden has died at his home aged 90.

Sir Donald made his name on stage as a Shakespearean actor and also had more than 70 credits for film and TV productions since the late 1940s to now.

He had been battling ­prostate cancer over several years and his death, weeks before his 91st birthday, at his home in Romney Marsh, Kent, has been described as a "huge loss" by his family.

His son, actor and film director Marc Sinden: "My father has finished dying. He suffered for a few years from prostate cancer which slowly spread.

"Even though his death was expected, it is still a huge loss to his family and we, his brother, his son, his four grandchildren and great-grandchild will all miss his humour and ­knowledge and we would all like to share our appreciation for the Pilgrims Hospice and the carers that looked after him and us with such dignity, consideration and care until the end."

Sir Donald trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and made his film debut in 1953 with The Cruel Sea, later performing with the RSC in leading roles such as King Lear and Malvolio.