Wallace and Gromit star Peter Sallis dies at age 96

• Video report by ITV News North of England Correspondent Damon Green

Actor Peter Sallis, who was best known as for roles in Last of the Summer Wine and animated cartoon Wallace and Gromit, has died at age 96.

He died peacefully on Friday with his family by his side, his agents Jonathan Altaras Associates said in a statement.

Mr Sallis became a household name in the UK as mild-mannered Norman Clegg in the comedy Last Of The Summer Wine, Britain's longest-running sitcom.

But his role playing loveable inventor Wallace in Nick Park's animated films made his voice known around the world.

The animated show's creator Nick Park was still just a student with an idea when he contacted Mr Sallis to take part.

He was astonished and delighted when the already well-known actor agreed in return for a £50 donation to charity.

Mr Park told ITV Mr Sallis had played a key part in shaping the character of Wallace and could take much of the credit with much of the show's success.

"I feel so grateful that he agreed to do Wallace - and there was never another choice for me," he said.

"The charm and the qualities that he brought have always been so endearing and appealing very much shaped Wallace's face.

The way I modelled Wallace was very much based on how Peter would say words and say 'cheese' and 'crackers'.

Meanwhile Mr Sallis said he was delighted to be part of a show loved by millions.

"To still be involved in a project like this at my age is heart-warming," he said.

"To have a legacy like this is very comforting. I am very lucky to have been involved."

Mr Sallis was born in Middlesex, and initially had little interest in drama, signing up for a career in banking.

It was the Second World War that changed the course of his life. He joined the RAF, but failed his aircrew medical and instead became a radio instructor in Lincolnshire.

While there that he began taking part in amateur shows and quickly realised he had found his calling.

He appeared opposite Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud and Orson Welles, but it was Last of the Summer Wine that marked his big break.

His work in Wallace and Gromit brought him an even bigger audience - and a role in an Oscar-winning series.

Mr Sallis was given an OBE for services for drama in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2007.

He said at the time: "I don't even dream about these things, which is probably just as well.... but it means a lot to me."

However he had said he as glad that it was his voice, not his face, that was most well known.

"No-one stops me when I speak or when they see me in the street. That's the way I like it," he said.