Readers across the world mourn Sir Terry Pratchett

POPULAR British fantasy author Terry Pratchett has died at the age of 66 after an eight year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Best known for the Discworld series, Sir Terry wrote more than 70 books over his lengthy career and had one of the world’s brightest, sharpest minds according to Larry Finlay from Transworld Publishers.

Although he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007, the author continued writing and completed his final book last summer.

His death at his home surrounded by his family was confirmed by a tweet on his official account reading: “Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night.”

Mr Finlay said: “In over 70 books, Terry enriched the planet like few before him. As all who read him know, Discworld was his vehicle to satirise this world: He did so brilliantly, with great skill, enormous humour and constant invention.

“Terry faced his Alzheimer’s disease (an ’embuggerance,’ as he called it) publicly and bravely. Over the last few years, it was his writing that sustained him. His legacy will endure for decades to come.

“My sympathies go out to Terry’s wife Lyn, their daughter Rhianna, to his close friend Rob Wilkins, and to all closest to him.”