John Cunliffe, creator of children's TV favourite Postman Pat, has died aged 85, his agent has confirmed.
His agency David Higham Associates confirmed to the Press Association that Cunliffe had died on September 20.
A death notice printed in the Ilkley Gazette said he had "left his Ilkley home in a deluge of rain on Thursday, September 20, never to return.
"Even the skies wept for John the gifted creator of Postman Pat, Rosie And Jim and author of many earlier published collections of poetry and picture story books for children.
"John's last poetry collection, significantly entitled Dare You Go, has now come to fruition for John has dared to go and he has gone."
The Gazette reported a private funeral had taken place six days after his death.
It is believed he was living in the West Yorkshire town at the time of his death.
Before writing for children full-time, Cunliffe worked as a teacher and librarian.
Cunliffe's treasured characters have appeared on TV screens for four decades, and continue to entertain children.
Postman Pat, set in a rural landscape inspired by the author's childhood in the Lake District, first appeared on TV screens in 1981. The BBC series has aired in more than 55 countries.
Cunliffe was a familiar face on British children's TV himself, appearing as the "fizzgog" driver of the narrowboat barge in Rosie And Jim.
The rag doll characters were introduced to children in 1990, with Cunliffe cast as the first owner of the boat.
He penned around 190 books for children, including picture books and volumes of poetry, according to his agency biography.
