The producer of the cult TV series Dr Who, John Nathan-Turner, has died at the age of 54.

More than 100 million people worldwide watched the long-running series, which was originally designed for children.

Mr Nathan-Turner, of Marine Drive, Saltdean, died in the Royal Sussex County Hospital from liver and lung failure.

Several of the actors who achieved fame as the eccentric time-travelling doctor are expected to attend a funeral service being arranged for next week at Woodvale crematorium in Brighton.

Mr Nathan-Turner worked for the BBC for 20 years before leaving in 1990 for a new solo career in broadcasting. He continued to attend Dr Who conventions.

Mr Nathan-Turner worked with all the actors who played the doctor except the first, William Hartnell.

They included Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison and Colin Baker.

He once told The Argus: "It turns on a brilliant basic premise of a man who travels through time to different worlds in an old police box which is bigger inside than out. It gives so many opportunities for adventures."

Mr Nathan-Turner was connected with many of the pantomimes at the Theatre Royal in Brighton.

In one, he was director while Colin Baker played Buttons in Cinderella.

Brighton-based promoter Brian Ralfe said: "His death is a tremendous loss.

His partner, psychotherapist Gary Downie, said: "He was an immensely popular and well-liked person. A lot of stars owed their careers to him.

"He also did a lot of charity work in Brighton."