A RENOWED actor, known for his roles in The Crown and Game of Thrones, has backed a Cotswolds hospice.

BAFTA award nominee Anton Lessor has become the patron for Shipston Home Nursing, which offers end-of-life care to individuals.

The actor has been a long-time resident in the area and said the hospice is a respected, cherished and indispensable part of the community.

“I am honoured to have been asked to be a patron of the amazing Shipston Home Nursing," he said.

"Having been a long-time resident in the area, I have seen their tireless and selfless care become a respected, cherished and indispensable part of the community.

"I very much look forward to working with them.”

Shipston Home Nursing is a hospice at-home charity caring for people with life-limiting illnesses who wish to be nursed in the comfort of their own homes.

The charity looks after people in Shipston, Wellesbourne, Kineton and the surrounding villages, and its care is completely free of charge.

Andrew Revell, executive director of Shipston Home Nursing, says, “We are delighted that Anton Lesser has joined us as Patron.

"As a small charity, having a dedicated patron like Anton will really help us to raise awareness of Shipston Home Nursing within our local community.

"We’re also looking forward to welcoming him to some of our forthcoming fundraising events.

"Watch this space!”

Mr Lesser was born in Birmingham, trained at RADA and is an associate of the RSC.

His renowned body of work includes theatre, film and TV and was nominated for a BAFTA  for his performance as Sir Thomas More in the BBC’s Wolf Hall.

He had also played the former British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, in The Crown, Qyburn in Game of Thrones and featured in Disney’s Andor.

His voice is also well-known thanks to his extensive work with BBC Radio Falco and he is the voice behind many Dickens’ novels on audiobooks.