Sir Michael Caine spotted filming on Camber Sands beach

The Italian Job and Batman star was seen on Camber Sands in Rye ahead of his lead role in The Great Escaper as Hove veteran Bernard Jordan.

Bernard escaped from his care home in Furze Hill to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, France, in 2014.

He became a national sensation after sparking a missing persons search when he left the care home unannounced for the commemorations

Undated handout photo issued by Rob Youngson of actors Sir Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson starring alongside one another again for their new film The Great Escaper. Picture from PA (Image: PA)

Bernard was a long-serving councillor and former mayor.

Michael, 89, was seen in a wheelchair on the beach at Camber and in a street decorated with bunting for filming.

The veteran film star was sporting a flat cap and wearing medals.

In the film he will be reunited with actress Glenda Jackson, 86, as Bernard’s wife Irene, 47 years after they starred in The Romantic Englishwoman.

War hero Bernard, who made front page news across the world and received thousands of cards after escaping his care home, died in 2015 at the age of 90.

In July 2014, he was made an honorary alderman of the city in recognition of his service as a Hove borough councillor for 23 years as well as serving as mayor in 1995 to 1996.

A synopsis for the new film reads: “It was a story that captured the imagination of the world – Bernie seemed to embody the defiant ‘can do’ spirit of a generation that was fast disappearing.

“But of course, it wasn't the whole story. It was the story we all tell ourselves to make war and old age bearable. The bitter-sweet script explores the reality with wit and a very big heart.

“Bernie's adventure, spanning a mere 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Rene (Jackson) - the story celebrates their love without sentimentality and with an eye to the lessons we might all learn from the Greatest Generation.”