Diana Wynne Jones dies aged 76

Diana Wynne Jones, author of many popular children's books including Earwig and the Witch, Wilkin's Tooth and Howl's Moving Castle, died last weekend at the age of 76.

For many years, the writer had a relatively small following, but her fantasy novels became hugely popular after JK Rowling's Harry Potter series enjoyed success.

Jones, born in north London in 1934, decided at the early age of eight that she wanted to be a writer, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Her first novel, Changeover, was published in 1970, but she then decided to move from creating adult satire to children's fantasy books.

Victoria Barnsley, publisher and chief executive officer at HarperCollins UK and International, said: 'Diana was one of our truly wonderful and much-cherished children's authors.'

'Her rich imagination inspired many thousands of children. She will be greatly missed by all of us. Our thoughts are with her family,' she added.

Jones' book Howl's Moving Castle was adapted as a Japanese animated film, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.