Actor Sir Anthony Hopkins took time out of his shopping schedule to share jokes and poetry with 'astonished' residents.

The Oscar winner, who was in Dover filming the BBC’s King Lear, was spotted in Sandgate High Street.

Peter Troy, who ran into the star after arriving to a book club on the wrong day, said the chance encounter 'blew him away'.

“What did strike me was Sir Anthony’s great humility," he said.

“For 15 minutes we shared jokes, recitations and anecdotes, and there was also a friendly Irishman there called Danny with his young son. They were delivering furniture.

“He was dressed in a flat cap, scarf and jumper much like me, you would have walked passed him on the street.”

Mr Troy, 80, of Sturdy Close, Hythe, said he had intended to visit the book club at Sandgate’s Old Fire Station last Thursday when he bumped into the actor.

The bi-weekly club had actually taken place on Wednesday but Mr Troy 'had got his days mixed up'.

It was on realising his mistake that the Hollywood star emerged from the Christopher Buck Antiques emporium.

"What did strike me was Sir Anthony's great humility" - Peter Troy

Mr Troy, who worked in the Navy, continued: “I got talking to Sir Anthony’s agent while window shopping in an antique shop opposite.

“When he introduced himself, he called himself ‘Tony’.

“He was so generous with his attention as we all put in our tuppence worth.

"His wife Stella then joined us all on the pavement and eagerly shook hands with us all.

“There was no mention of autographs or selfies but before parting Sir Anthony asked if I had a camera.

“I hadn’t thought of it but I did in my pocket and his agent took our photo.”

Sir Anthony has enjoyed a stage, film and television career stretching back more than 50 years and won an Oscar for his role as Hannibal Lecter in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs.