Former newsreader Peter Sissons who lived in Sevenoaks has died at the age of 77, his agent has announced.

Mr Sissons who was a newsreader for the BBC, ITN and Channel 4, died last night at Maidstone Hospital.

He was the face of shows including the BBC Nine O'Clock News and the Ten O'Clock News for a decade from 1993 until 2003.

He'd also previously read the news on both ITV and Channel 4, and he was a host of Question Time.

A statement from Knight Ayton management said: "We are sad to announce that Peter Sissons, the former presenter on ITN, Channel 4 and the BBC, died peacefully last night in Maidstone Hospital.

"His wife and three children were with him and wish to pass on their thanks to the hospital staff who were so caring and fought gallantly to save him to the end."

BBC news presenter Simon McCoy was one of the first to pay tribute, tweeting: "Very sorry to hear of the death of former colleague Peter Sissons.

"A great journalist and a fine presenter at ITN and the BBC."

In 2011 he discussed his 45-year career at the Ship Theatre, Walthamstow Hall School, Sevenoaks, to kick off the Sevenoaks Literary Celebration.

Mr Sissons started his career in 1964 when he joined ITN and and leaves behind three children, one of whom, Kate, is an actress.

He was also the first ever host of the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards, which is organised by Maxim PR who tweeted a tribute.

It said: "We're very sorry to hear of the death of Peter Sissons, the first ever host of the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards.

"He set a high bar for his successors and we'll be forever grateful that he took a chance on us."

He lived with his wife Sylvia and also had a second home on the island of Barbados.

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