Canterbury-born actor Orlando Bloom is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Kent at Canterbury Cathedral next month.

The star of numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including the Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean trilogies, is being honoured for his contribution to the film industry.

Orlando, whose mother Sonia Copeland-Bloom lives in the city, is patron of the new Marlowe Theatre appeal.

He recently revealed how he had struggled with his education at St Edmund’s School because he suffered with dyslexia.

Also being awarded an honorary degree by the university at the same time on July 13 will be actor David Suchet, who is most famous for his role as Agatha Christie’s detective Hercule Poirot and is starring in the West End in My Sons.