A tree that sits alongside Hadrian's Wall that was made famous in a Hollywood blockbuster has been voted England's Tree of the Year.

Movie idol Kevin Costner helped the tree rise to fame when it featured as the backdrop in scenes during the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

The Sycamore Gap won The Woodland Trust’s competition after receiving 21 per cent of nearly 12,000 votes cast by the public.

Also known as the ‘Robin Hood’ tree, it is found within the six miles of Hadrian's Wall UNESCO World Heritage site cared for by the National Trust.

Nestled within a gap known as the Whin Sill, Sycamore Gap regularly entices photographers and tourists.

It is a striking site on the left of the B6318 road Cumbrians may take to Newcastle as an alternative to the A69.

Andrew Poad, general manager at the National Trust, overseeing Hadrian’s Wall, spoke about the competition.

He said: “We're very grateful to everyone who voted for Sycamore Gap.

"With the help from members, donations and visitors, the Robin Hood tree has become an iconic image and is a wonderful stop-off point for those walking alongside the wall."

The tree has been the site of a number of news stories and events.

In 2003, celebrity TV gardener and author Alan Titchmarsh narrowly escaped injury when the low-flying helicopter he was travelling in crashed into the ground metres from the tree.

Last year farmer Stewart Weatherson drew media attention when he proposed to his girlfriend Stacey Newton by the tree.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was a major box office hit in the early 1990s.

The tree also featured in the video to the soundtrack song, (Everything I Do) I Do It For You by Bryan Adams, who is performing at Bitts Park in Carlisle in the summer.

This is one of the biggest hits in British chart history, spending 16 consecutive weeks at number one on the UK singles chart - with the video showing the tree featuring regularly on TV shows such as Top of The Pops at this time.

As the winner, Sycamore Gap will also benefit from a “Tree LC” care grant of £1,000.

This will be used to better understand the health of the tree and take any remedial actions required to protect its roots.

Experts say these are increasingly becoming exposed due to the numbers of people passing under its bough.

For the competition, a panel of experts whittled down nearly 200 public nominations to create shortlists based on the nominees’ story, how they would make use of the grant and visual appeal of the tree.

Ten trees were chosen in England and six in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Mr Poad said: "The National Trust looks after lots of important trees, including a 2,500 year old Ankerwycke Yew near Runnymede in Surrey and Newton’s Apple, which triggered the great scientist to form his laws of gravity.

"As with all of the trees the trust cares for, we want to protect it for future generations to enjoy."

Sycamore Gap will now go forward to a European Tree of the Year competition in early 2017.