Sir Ian McKellen was given a lifetime achievement award at the San Sebastian film festival in Spain yesterday.

The 71-year-old British actor said he was "very gratified" to receive the Donostia Award "because it's not just for a character but for a career".

He told the press he thought "too much attention" was given to actors and that they are "flattered too much".  He added that he wasn't looking for fame, but that he continued to act because it's what he knows how to do and so that he could "keep on improving".

McKellen, who starred as Magneto in the X-Men and is also a highly accclaimed Shakespearean actor, is best known for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, which he described as "a wonderful character".

In 1999, he was nominated for the best actor Oscar for Gods and Monsters and in 2002 he was nominated for best supporting actor for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

The prize was presented to Sir Ian by one of Spain's best known actors, José María Pou, who is best known for his 'radical' portrayal of Shakespeare's King Lear, another of the characters brought to life by McKellen.  Pou described McKellen as a "genius of stage and screen".

The 57th San Sebastian film festival runs until 26 September.