Family attends Scofield funeral

Scofield won the Oscar for best actor in 1967 for A Man for All Seasons

Friends and family have paid their last respects at the private funeral of British actor Paul Scofield, who died of leukaemia last week, aged 86.

The service for the Oscar-winning star, took place at a church near his country home in Balcombe, West Sussex.

Scofield's agent said a memorial service dedicated to the "genius actor" would be held at a later date.

Following his death, actors including Dame Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh paid tribute to the stage legend.

Bafta win

"He was a great friend and a great man," said Dame Judi.

Known for his distinctive voice, Scofield made his name on the London stage playing many of the greatest roles in theatre.

He was principally known as a Shakespearean actor - and his portrayal of King Lear in 1962 was voted the greatest performance in a Shakespeare play by a panel of actors including Sir Ian McKellen, Ian Richardson and Sir Antony Sher.

His Oscar came in 1966 for a portrayal of Tudor statesman Sir Thomas More in the film A Man For All Seasons.

He was appointed a CBE in 1956 after an appearance in Peter Brook's Hamlet in Moscow, and became a Companion of Honour in the 2001 New Years Honours list.

Scofield leaves a widow, a son and a daughter.