Sir Sean Connery has led calls for Scots to back independence, describing a Yes vote as one that would "capture the world's attention".

The Bahamas-based former James Bond star is a well known supporter of the SNP's policy.

But in an article to be published in the New Statesman this week, Connery said: "Scotland has the chance to make a step-change."

Sir Sean, who will not be able to vote, said he was "particularly excited" about the prospects independence could offer the film and creative industries, saying these could be boosted by new inward investment, helping to create jobs north of the border.

He accepted the decision over the country's future should be made by "the people who choose to live and work there".

He added: "But as a Scot with a lifelong love of Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss. Simply put there is no more creative an act than creating a new nation."

Sir Sean added that with the media from around the globe likely to converge on Edinburgh for the result in September, a Yes vote will capture the "world's attention."

"There will be a renewed focus on our culture and politics, giving us an unparalleled opportunity to promote our heritage and creative excellence," he added.

The novelist and journalist Will Self has also backed Scottish independence, saying a Yes vote is a "no-brainer".

The award-winning English writer said that without the "saltire seasoning, the the conservative English stodge [of the UK] may well become altogether inedible."

He added, in thesame magazine: "On the whole I've considered independence to be something of a no-brainer: if ever there was a small, potentially socialistic state that could do with being detached from its deluded imperialist neighbour, it's Scotland … far from the Scots needing our cr***y sterling and our grudging subsidy, it is we the English who, should they decide to exit the Union pursued by money-market bears, would have the most to lose."

Children's author Mairi Hedderwick, who writes and illustrates the Katie Morag series, backed independence on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs programme.

Asked her view, she said: "Of course I think it would be a good thing. Either way, it will have been a good thing because I think it's brought a lot of soul searching.

"It's the culture of it that really would make me very happy if we could become independent."

The former chief executive of the Scottish Football Assocation and general secretary of European football body UEFA, David Taylor, also backed independence yesterday.

He said it was time for Scotland's "blurred" identity to change.