Actor Ray Winstone has said he is “a very proud Londoner” after receiving the Freedom of the City of London.

The 68-year old, who has starred in films including The Departed, Scum and Sexy Beast, was honoured at a ceremony in central London in recognition of his charity work.

Born in Hackney and renowned for playing “hard man” characters, Winstone has been a long-time supporter of a number of causes including the West Ham United Foundation, the official charity of his beloved West Ham United FC.

The actor, known for his distinct East End accent, also supports the ICAP Charity Day, a fundraising event which sees ICAP and City brokers donate 100% of a day’s revenue to charity.

“Today, more than ever, I am a very proud Londoner and if my mum and dad were still here to see me receiving the Freedom of the City of London, I know that it would have meant the world to them – as it does me,” Winstone said.

“This has been such a special day for me, and I am very grateful to Lady Mayor Sue Langley for hosting my guests and I at The Mansion House, and to [former Lord Mayors of the City of London] Alastair King and William Russell for nominating me.”

Over the course of five decades, the actor has starred in films including Quadrophenia, Cold Mountain and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

He has also appeared in TV series such as The Bill, Ever Decreasing Circles, One Foot in the Grave, Boon and Birds Of A Feather.

Lady Mayor Dame Susan Langley said: “Ray Winstone may have earned his hard-man credentials on screen but off screen he’s always had a big heart, as you can really see in his charitable work.

“West Ham means a lot to both of us: it’s the club that we’ve both supported for years, and it’s the area where I was born, so it’s been a real joy to see him receive this recognition today.”