The Oscar-nominated British actor Pete Postlethwaite has died at the age of 64.

The actor, who was appointed OBE in 2003, died peacefully in hospital in Shropshire after a lengthy illness.

Brassed Off

Postlethwaite played the central role of Danny, conductor of the Grimely Colliery Band in the 1996 film 'Brassed Off', based loosely on the story of the closure of Grimethorpe Colliery during the aftermath of the 1984 Miner’s Strike.

Colin Preston, the newly appointed Band Manager of Grimethorpe Colliery Band told 4BR: "The Trustees, players and friends of Grimethorpe Colliery Band have been greatly sadden by the death of their long term friend, the actor Pete Postlethwaite."

They remember fondly working with Pete on the landmark film Brassed Off some 15 years ago in GrimethorpeBand Manager, Colin Preston

Fond

He added: "They remember fondly working with Pete on the landmark film Brassed Off some 15 years ago in Grimethorpe. He maintained an association with the band across the years and appeared at the concert to celebrate Dave Barraclough's long service to the band in 2009."