Kent actor Mark Rylance is due to receive a knighthood at Buckingham Palace today.

The Ashford-born star, who starred in The BFG film, is being recognised for his services to theatre.

The 57-year-old won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Steven Spielberg’s Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies in February 2015.

He starred alongside Tom Hanks in the movie, in which he played officer Rudolf Abel, who is arrested in 1950s New York and prosecuted as a spy.

Mr Rylance is also known for playing Thomas Cromwell in the BBC drama Wolf Hall, part of which was filmed at Penshurst Place near Tonbridge.

He moved to America as a child, when his parents emigrated to work in Milwaukee, and launched his career when he starred in Desperado Corner at the Glasgow Citizens' Theatre in 1981.