A much-loved children’s book that was famously illustrated by Sidcup’s Quentin Blake will get a huge Hollywood adaptation courtesy of Steven Spielberg.

Universally loved when it was published in 1982, Roald Dahl’s The BFG featured memorable pictures by Quentin Blake.

It was recently voted among the top 10 favourite children’s books of the past 150 years and a new film version will be released on July 22, 2016.

The year will also mark the centenary of Dahl’s birth.

Legendary film director Steven Spielberg will direct the new adaptation with Melissa Mathison, who last worked with Spielberg on ET, writing the script.

Steven Spielberg said: “It is fitting that the UK is the first international country to announce the date of The BFG, a story that sprang from the imagination of this proud son from Wales.

“We at DreamWorks Studios hope our film will add to Roald Dahl’s prolific legacy of entertainment.”

Luke Kelly, Roald Dahl’s grandson and MD of the Roald Dahl Literary Estate, said: “We are so thrilled and excited at this collaboration between two storytelling giants - Roald Dahl and Steven Spielberg.

“The fact that Steven is bringing one of my grandfather’s best-loved stories and characters to the big screen in the middle of the year in which we will celebrate Roald Dahl’s Centenary is even more fantastic."

Frank Marshall and Spielberg will produce the film and Kathleen Kennedy, John Madden and Michael Siegel are on board as executive producers.

The BFG will be a DreamWorks Studios and Amblin Entertainment production, released by Entertainment One in the UK.