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Iconic actress Brenda Blethyn has revealed she is "getting rid of stuff" because she doesn't want to "leave problems behind" when she dies.

The 80-year-old is renowned most recently for playing the title role in hit ITV crime drama Vera, which finished last year after a successful 14-year run. But she has also been nominated for two Oscars among a host of other accolades in her illustrious career.

Brenda admits "you have to acknowledge it" when questioned on the delicate subject of mortality. This means decluttering her home in Ramsgate, Kent, and sending the "good stuff" to the town's charity shops.

She told the Mail on Sunday's You section: "You have to acknowledge it, plan for it then get on with it. Make a will in case you get run over on the way home.

"Make sure you are not leaving any problems behind. I am actively getting rid of stuff. I think the charity shops in Ramsgate are sick of seeing me. The good stuff goes to them and the rest goes to the dump."

Brenda starred in the film Dragonfly last year and now she's starring in an adaptation of the novel Woman of Substance, which will air on Channel 4 from March 11.

The actress was nominated for two Oscars in the 1990s - for best actress for her role in Secrets & Lies in 1997; and for best supporting actress for her role in Little Voice in 1999.

The 80-year-old insists she doesn't feel her age but admits producers might be reticent to invest a lot of money in a long-running series starring an 80-year-old.

She said: "I don't feel 80, but who is going to invest money in someone my age in a long-running series?

"I don't know what's next, I'm just going to play it by ear. Maybe do some decorating but if a job comes up that I fancy then I will do it."

It comes as Brenda, who turned 80 a couple of weeks ago, recently spoke about a sad regret she had that she learned from her experiences in acting.

She told Prima magazine: "I regret that I didn't speak up more, for fear of being ridiculed. I suppose I'm someone with imposter syndrome. I'm not as bad as I was, but I certainly had it when I was younger, and I wish I'd kicked that into touch."

Brenda also reflected on her iconic Detective Chief Constable Vera Stanhope role, she said she now "misses the assuredness I had with Vera".

The star continued: "I don't mind still talking about Vera because I'm rather proud of her. I had to do the show for so long - it was 15 years if you count back to the pilot. She's like an old friend."