Oscar-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren has agreed to become the patron of a Barnet cancer charity.

The Hollywood star, an Academy Award winner for her role in The Queen, said she would be honoured to represent Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, in Union Street, Barnet.

The centre said it hoped that Dame Helen, who is currently out of the country filming, would visit Cherry Lodge soon and said it was thrilled' to have her as a patron.

Dame Helen said: "Only those who have been to Cherry Lodge Cancer Care understand the full extent of the help and succour given there.

"I will of course do what I can to help and would be honoured to be a patron."

Dr Margaret Clark, chairwoman of the charity, said: "We know that Helen Mirren received a letter about us but do not know who wrote it.

"We are delighted that she was so moved that she agreed to become a patron.

"Everyone has heard of Dame Helen so she will help to raise the profile of Cherry Lodge and it is really thrilling to announce that we are recognised in the loftiest of circles."

The actress has already donated a signed picture of herself which will be auctioned at an annual ball in aid of the charity, at Queen Elizabeth's School, in Queen's Road, Barnet, in October.

Dame Helen was born Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov to a Russian father and English mother and was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in December 2003.

As well as playing Elizabeth II in The Queen, Dame Helen is famous for her role as Detective Jane Tennison in the television drama Prime Suspect. She also starred in the films Calendar Girls and Gosford Park.

Cherry Lodge provides free cancer information and services, including nursing and outreach work, as well as therapy for around 1,500 people with cancer and their families in north London and southern Hertfordshire.

For more information on the charity, visit www.cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk