Actress Gemma Arterton has been nominated for a prestigious theatre award for her performance in Made in Dagenham.

The James Bond actress, who in grew up in Northfleet and went to Mayfield Grammar School in Pelham Road, Gravesend, is in line for a Laurence Olivier Award for best actress in a musical.

The nomination is for playing the lead role of Rita O’Grady in the stage adaption of the BAFTA nominated Brit flick.

Made in Dagenham tells the story of Ford factory female machinists who campaigned and held a strike for equal pay in 1968.

Their courage and determination made serious head-way in getting equal pay legislation made.

Miss Arterton will be up against the cream of the theatrical crop at the awards ceremony at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, on April 12.

Among her fellow nominees will be Katie Brayben for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Tamsin Greig for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and Beverley Knight for Memphis.