Michael Bond, the former television cameraman who created the much-loved children's character Paddington Bear, has died at his London home after a short illness. He was 91.

Paddington first appeared in a children's book entitled A Bear Called Paddington in 1958; he is described in the book as a marmalade-loving bear from "deepest, darkest Peru" who comes to London to live and is taken in by the Brown family.

The Paddington character went on to inspire a series of books, an animated television series and a successful live-action feature film made in 2014.

Britain's Prince William attended the film's premiere in Shanghai in 2015, and a sequel will be released later this year.

Paddington, named after the London rail station he was found in, was famous for his love of marmalade, his duffle coat, floppy hat and wellington boots. He also managed to get into countless scrapes.

In all the character's endearing traits meant that more than 35 million books were sold worldwide and translated into 30 languages.

chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com