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Oscar-winning actor Sir Michael Caine has received France’s highest cultural honour in Paris.

The Alfie and Italian Job star was made a Commander of the Arts and Letters by Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand.

Mr Mitterrand praised the 77-year-old, calling him “a giant” of the acting profession.

Sir Michael told The Associated Press he fell in love with France in his youth and getting the award was like being recognised by his “fiancee”.

“It’s fantastic for me because it’s something I’ve never thought of,” he said.

“If you are an actor you think one day I will maybe win an Academy Award or something, but I’ve never in my life thought I would be given the Legion d’honneur.

“It was such a surprise and I am so happy and grateful I cannot tell you,” added Sir Michael.

The actor has starred in more than 100 films during the course of his career, which has so far spanned some five decades.

He won best supporting actor Oscars in 2000 for The Cider House Rules and in 1987 for Hannah and Her Sisters.

The Order of Arts and Letters was established in the 1950s to recognise those who have contributed significantly to the arts in France and throughout the world.

Previous recipients of the honour include singer Stevie Wonder, actors Sir Roger Moore and Dennis Hopper, and punk singer Patti Smith.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Germany has closed more than 4,700 farms after large amounts of animal feed were found to be contaminated with dioxin, a poisonous chemical.

Officials insist the levels of dioxin do not pose a risk to humans, and that the closures are only a precaution.

Most of the affected farms are in Lower Saxony region, north-west Germany.

Meanwhile, the EU has warned that eggs from farms affected by dioxin have entered the UK in processed products destined for human food.

Last week, more than 1,000 farms were banned from selling eggs after dioxin was found in eggs and poultry.

Dioxin is linked to the development of cancer in humans.

It is believed that the poison reached the animal feed after being distributed by a company in northern Germany which supplies additives for animal feed.

The dioxin was discovered in late December, but the extent of the problem was only revealed earlier this week when German officials said 3,000 tonnes of feed had been affected.

Germany’s agriculture ministry said on Thursday that most of the closed farms were ones raising pigs.

The ministry said the farms would not be allowed to make any deliveries until they had been checked and found to be clear of contamination.

And European Commission health spokesman Frederic Vincent told a news conference how the problem had now reached Britain.

“Those eggs were then processed and then exported to the United Kingdom… as a 14-tonne consignment of pasteurised product for consumption,” he said.

“Whether it went into mayonnaise, pastries, I don’t know. So we will probably take a look at this with the UK authorities and see what was done with these eggs.”

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

A nursery worker charged with sexual offences against a child is due in court.

Paul Wilson, 20, of Nechells, Birmingham, a member of staff at the Little Stars Nursery in Nechells, was arrested early on Wednesday.

The Crown Prosecution Service said he has been charged with two offences against a child under 13 years, between 1 January 2009 and 30 July 2010.

Mr Wilson is due at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

An application to remand him in custody will be made.

The CPS has said the charges related to one child.

The nursery, in Nechells Park Road, has been temporarily closed.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.