Sir Terry Pratchett dies, aged 66

Writer Sir Terry Pratchett has died at the age of 66, his publishers said.

Larry Finlay, managing director at Transworld Publishers, said he was “deeply saddened” by the news.

He said: “The world has lost one of its brightest, sharpest minds.”

Sir Terry, who wrote more than 70 best-selling novels, waged a very public struggle with Alzheimer’s disease in recent years.

His publisher said he “passed away in his home, with his cat sleeping on his bed, surrounded by his family”.

He completed his last book – set like so many of his best-sellers in his creation of Discworld – last year.