American musician Tom Petty has died aged 66 his family have announced.

He was found unconscious and in full cardiac arrest at his Malibu home early on Monday.

He was taken to hospital, but could not be revived and died later surrounded by family and friends.

Petty was the lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and is best known for hits such as American girl,Learning to Fly and Free Fallin’.

The album Full Moon Fever was the biggest-selling record of his career.

Fans have been paying tribute to the rock star at the Hollywood Walk of fame where the band were honored with a star in 1999.