Stage and screen actress Shirley Anne Field, who went to school in Blackburn, has died at the age of 87, her family has announced.

The stage and screen star, who grew up in children's homes in Bolton and Blackburn, was brought to prominence in the 1960s following her role in The Entertainer opposite Laurence Olivier.

She went on to feature in films including comedy Alfie alongside Sir Michael Caine, and kitchen sink drama Saturday Night And Sunday Morning with Albert Finney.

A statement shared by her representative from her family said: “It is with great sadness we are sharing the news Shirley Anne Field passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 10, surrounded by her family and friends.

“Shirley Anne will be greatly missed and remembered for her unbreakable spirit and her amazing legacy spanning more than five decades on stage and screen.”

Shirley grew up in Edgworth Children’s Home and was the guest of honour at an event to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the National Children’s Home charity in 2009.

She lived at the home with her brother after being evacuated from London during the Second World War, which broke out when she was just three.

She also spent time at a children's home in Blackburn, when she attended Blakey Moor School for Girls.

Born in Forest Gate, Newham, on June 27, 1936, Field first established herself as a model in the 1950s.

She later moved into the acting world, featuring in the 1956 comedy Loser Takes All and musical film It’s A Wonderful World.

After her appearance alongside Olivier, her celebrity grew and she went on to star in a string of films, television series and stage productions.

Among the hit films were 1962’s The War Lover alongside Steve McQueen and Robert Wagner and 1985’s rom-com My Beautiful Laundrette with Daniel Day-Lewis.