Oscar-winner Dame Helen Mirren is to be honoured by Bafta with its highest award.

The actress will be presented with a Bafta Fellowship at this year's awards ceremony at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, central London, on Sunday February 16.

Other recipients of the prestigious award include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Elizabeth Taylor and Dame Judi Dench.

Dame Helen said: "This is the greatest professional honour I can imagine, certainly one I never dreamt of as a schoolgirl in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. To join that list of legendary names is overwhelming."

Other fellows include directors Martin Scorsese and Sir Alan Parker, who received the honour at last year's event.

Bafta chairman John Willis said: "Dame Helen Mirren receives the Fellowship as one of the most outstanding actresses of her generation. Dame Helen's incredibly successful career is testament to the determination, dedication and skill she brings to each of her roles."

Her career, which has included critically-acclaimed roles in Prime Suspect and The Madness Of King George, has seen her win four Baftas.

She won the best actress Oscar in 2006 for playing the title role in The Queen.