Bond composer John Barry dies at 77

Tributes have been paid to James Bond composer John Barry who has died aged 77.

The five-time Oscar winner, who grew up in York, wrote scores for films including The Ipcress File, Zulu and Midnight Cowboy but is best known for his long association with 007.

His arrangement of Monty Norman's James Bond theme made his name, and he wrote songs for many of the films.

Lyricist Don Black, who co-wrote songs including Born Free and Diamonds Are Forever with Barry, said success never changed him. "He lived in Oyster Bay, New York, for 30 or 40 years, but you would never know it," he said. "There was no trace of America about him - he brought York to New York."

Singer and actor Michael Crawford paid tribute to a man he said had been "a close friend for many, many years", adding: "He wrote some of the most memorable and beautiful film scores we could ever wish to hear."

Music producer and DJ Mark Ronson wrote on Twitter: "RIP John Barry. One of the greatest composers EVER."

Barry was made an OBE and awarded a Bafta fellowship in 2005. He was married with four children and five grandchildren. His family said a memorial service would be held in the UK later this year.