Author dies aged 88

Best-selling children's writer passes away...

10:42 06 January 2011

Best-selling children's author Dick King-Smith has passed away at the age of 88.

The writer, best known for his 1983 work The Sheep Pig which inspired the hit film Babe, died in his sleep at his home near Bath on 4 January.

He had been in poor health in recent years, according to the writer's agent.

King-Smith was one of the UK's most prolific authors, writing more than 100 books since 1978.

He was a farmer for 20 years before opting for a change in career.

Mr King-Smith then went on to sell more than 15 million copies of his works worldwide and was made an OBE in December 2009.

He is survived by his second wife Zona, three children, 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.