THE Flintshire-based great-grandson of the author of Lord of the Rings has thanked well-wishers from all over the world who have expressed sympathy at the passing of Christopher Tolkien.

Christopher Tolkien, the son JRR Tolkien, died aged 95, the Tolkien Society announced on Twitter.

A statement said: "Christopher Tolkien has died at the age of 95. The Tolkien Society sends its deepest condolences to Baillie, Simon, Adam, Rachel and the whole Tolkien family."

Charlie Redmayne, chief executive of HarperCollins UK which publishes much of JRR Tolkien's work, said: "Christopher was a devoted curator of his father's work and the timeless and ongoing popularity of the world that JRR Tolkien created is a fitting testimony to the decades he spent bringing Middle-earth to generations of readers.

"The most charming of men, and a true gentleman, it was an honour and privilege to know and work with him and our thoughts are with his family at this time."

Royd Tolkien, who grew up in Halkyn and is grandson of Christopher's brother Michael Hilary Reuel Tolkien, thanked those expressing their condolences on social media, including top British fantasy author Neil Gaiman.

Gaiman tweeted: "Christopher Tolkien. His achievements were remarkable. My sympathies to all the family."

Royd, 50, a producer and actor portrayed a soldier of Gondor in The Return of the King, the final film in Jackson's film adaptation of his great-grandfather's works, and is a regular guest at Wales Comic Con, replied "thank you".

New Zealand actor Jed Brophy, who played a Nazgûl, Orc and Rohan Rider in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings adaptations, said: "RIP Christopher Tolkien . Thank you for bringing to life your fathers works in the Silmarillion so that we could all share in its Brilliance . My constant companion. The book I reread every year. Condolences to your family. So very sorry to hear this @RoydTolkien x"

Christopher Tolkien has been hailed as a "titan" of fantasy literature.

Oxford University-educated Tolkien was the author's third and youngest son, and was responsible for editing and publishing much of his father's work following his death in 1973.

These included The Silmarillion, The Children Of Hurin, and Beren And Luthien, which flesh out the complex world of elves and dwarves created by his father.

He also drew the original maps of Middle-earth which decorated the trilogy of books released in the 1950s following the success of the prequel, The Hobbit.

He signed off his work as "CJRT", going by his full name Christopher John Reuel Tolkien, in the same manner as his father.

Tolkien Society chairman Shaun Gunner said: "All of us in the Tolkien Society will share in the sadness at the news of Christopher Tolkien's death, and we send our condolences to Baillie, Simon, Adam, Rachel and the whole Tolkien family at this difficult time.

"Christopher's commitment to his father's works have seen dozens of publications released, and his own work as an academic in Oxford demonstrates his ability and skill as a scholar.

"Millions of people around the world will be forever grateful to Christopher for bringing us The Silmarillion, The Children Of Hurin, The History Of Middle-earth series and many others. We have lost a titan and he will be sorely missed."