HE is a legendary star of stage and screen who is a regular visitor to the tranquil Suffolk coast.

Now Sir Michael Gambon has given his support to an issue that is causing some concern in the popular seaside resort of Aldeburgh.

The renowned British actor, who played Philip Marlow in The Singing Detective and more recently Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, has called for a recycling facility at Fort Green to be moved because it has become dangerous.

Sir Michael was responding to an article he read in the East Anglian Daily Times in which local resident Dorian Lovell-Pank, who lives opposite the site at the end of the High Street, raised serious concerns.

Mr Lovell-Pank, a 65-year-old barrister, believes the volume of traffic that now uses the facility, which is next to a car park, makes it dangerous and the bins should be moved to an alternative site along the Thorpeness road.

In his letter to the EADT, Sir Michael, 71, who was knighted in 1998 for services to drama, said: “Returning to Aldeburgh this week for half-term, as I do on every possible occasion, with my family, I noticed an article in your paper about the recycling centre at Fort Green.

“I have been astonished that such a centre should be so placed – there are countless vehicles blocking up at that end of the road – buses, lorries attempting to turn, cars on their way to the yacht club, day tourists who use the car park and, worst of all, the seemingly mindless drivers who stop in the middle of the road beside the bottle bank, to plink their few bottles, apparently oblivious of the havoc they are causing to the, at times, enormous volume of other traffic.

“I believe this is called being ‘green’. I fail to understand the concept in this case. The site was clearly situated at Fort Green a long time ago when the increase of present traffic and population could not have been foreseen.

“I regard this site now as being environmentally unviable. I gather from your article on Wednesday [October 26], that it is worrying local residents and that they, too, feel it should be placed elsewhere and not in a place where traffic hazards and potential accidents are inevitable.

“There is a place on the road to Thorpeness where there is a clear definition of entry and exit and which would not only reduce the congestion in the High Street but also reduce the danger factor in recycling bottles and newspapers.

“I hope this clarifies my position and I know it to be the same as many other lovers and visitors of Aldeburgh.

“I sincerely hope this matter can be rectified to the satisfaction of residents and holidaymakers alike.”

A spokesman for Suffolk Coastal District Council has previously said they would be happy to meet with Mr Lovell-Pank to discuss his concerns.

“We are always keen to make any necessary improvements to the smooth running of our popular recycling facilities,” he said.