LEGENDARY actor Brian Blessed told how he owed Birmingham his career when he returned to promote a cause close to his heart.

The man mountain best known for his role in 80s sci-fi flick Flash Gordon drew crowds in Victoria Square as he joined a cat charity’s campaign on Tuesday.

In between acting, exploring the world and taking care of about 2,500 rescued animals at his home, the 74-year-old is touring the country to promote a device to help prevent cats getting run over.

“I owe Birmingham itself a debt of gratitude,” he said. “When I left drama school Sir Barry Jackson employed me as character leading man at the Birmingham Rep which has always been considered the creme de la creme. Birmingham’s very dear to me.”

The animal lover said he never got over the loss of his boyhood pet tabby, called Tibby, who was killed on the road.

Blessed said he wants the Government to back a collar which bleeps when the cat goes near an electronic fence.

“All I know is everyday by stroking my cats, by loving my cats – I’m a better person,” he added.

“I’ve got seven at the moment and all the neighbours’ cats come in and eat the spare food, then there are strays all over the place. I suddenly wake up in the morning and there on the lawn is another one saying ‘hello’ but that’s the way my life is – surrounded by animals.”

Among his next ventures is a three-year series with ITV to unknown parts of the world including volcanoes and the North and South Poles.

Blessed said he runs about seven miles a day and can bench-press up to 350lbs.

His voice booming, he said: “I’ve got very powerful lungs apparently.”

But all of the money he makes goes into looking after the cats, dogs, goats, sheep, Shetland ponies, hens and ducks he keeps on his 12 acres of land in the Surrey countryside.

“I’ve lost about 11 cats in my life on the road, it’s really too much,” he added.