TV star Andrew Lincoln praised the work of Barnardo’s visitor centre at HMP Erlestoke, near Westbury, in a recent visit as the charity’s ambassador.

The visitor centre aims to reduce the impact of the ‘hidden sentence’ suffered by children when their father is imprisoned.

It also aims to improve the rehabilitation of offenders by maintaining links with their families.

Mr Lincoln, who stars in zombie series The Walking Dead, said: “This project benefits society as well as offenders, because they are far less likely to reoffend if they’re released to a family who still love them.”