FORMER television presenter Caron Keating has died from cancer at the Kent home of her mother Gloria Hunniford.

Ms Keating, who was 41, had been battling breast cancer for the past seven years. She was best known for presenting the children's programme Blue Peter in the 1980s.

She took time out to look after her two sons, Charlie, nine, and seven-year-old Gabriel, seven, but made a return to TV in 1996 with stints presenting ITV1's This Morning.

She died at her mother's home in Sevenoaks on Tuesday evening. She also leaves a husband, Russ Lindsay.

In a statement her family said she had been a "total inspiration" and that her death had left "an unfilled void".

The statment added: "Her husband and children were by her side throughout and her brothers Michael and Paul have been a constant support during her illness.

"Caron made a lasting impact on everyone she met, wherever she lived. She was a beautiful, fun-loving, and spirited individual who throughout the last seven years has been a total inspiration to her family and friends."

They said she had fought cancer "with enormous courage, tenacity and optimism".