The musician was found at his home in Hawick in the Scottish Borders today after a suspected heart attack.

Renbourn teamed up with fellow musicians, including guitarist Bert Jansch who died in 2011, to form Pentangle who were a critical and - to some extent - a commercial success towards the end of the 1960s.

His manager, Dave Smith, said Renbourn was "a huge character".

He said: "He was always playing and teaching. That is what he loved doing and he never stopped."

Among those paying tributes to London-born Renbourn were DJ Cerys Matthews who said: "So sorry and sad to hear of John Renbourn's passing. A loving, lovely man. RIP John, it was an honour and pleasure meeting you."

Novelist Ian Rankin tweeted: "Ach, and now John Renbourn has died. What a guitarist ..."

He leaves two sons and a daughter.

Press Association