A LIVERPOOL children’s author, whose Redwall series brought him international fame, has died.

Literary legend Brian Jacques, 71, had to have emergency surgery for an “aortic aneurism” – a swelling on the heart’s main artery – but, despite attempts to save him, he died at the Royal Liverpool Hospital on Saturday night.

His family is said to be devastated. He leaves behind a wife, Maureen, and two sons, Marc, a carpenter and bricklayer, and David, a contemporary artist.

Yesterday, his brother, Jim Jacques, speaking for the whole family, said they were in “deep shock”.

He said: “It was sudden. He had to go for an emergency operation on an aneurism that had appeared on his aorta and they just couldn’t save him. It’s a great loss to us, the city and children’s literature.”

Brian was born and bred in Liverpool.

He went to St John’s School, in Kirkdale, and left at 15 years of age.

He took up many occupations, working as a policeman and working on the docks. He even travelled the world as a merchant seaman.

But those who knew him saw his talent for writing from an early age.

He was delivering milk as a truck driver to the Wavertree School for the Blind when he penned Redwall. He wrote it for the children and made it as descriptive as possible so they could use their imaginations.

English teacher Alan Durband, who taught Beatles Paul McCartney and George Harrison saw it and showed it to a publisher. A deal was forged and Brian’s literary career was born.

Brian grew up in Orwell Road, in Kirkdale, and was from humble beginnings. Throughout his life, he has championed children’s literacy and created his own Brian Jacques Literary Award to inspire and reward local talent.

His Redwall series is a collection of fantasy books. More than 20m copies of his books have been sold worldwide and published in 28 languages.

Brian’s popularity led to him being included in a list of the greatest Merseysiders of all time.

When he was in office, ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was his children’s favourite author.

The Radio Merseyside broadcaster, of Irish ancestry, was also known for being a patriotic Scouser, and despite his worldwide success he remained in the city all his life.

In 2008, he was made an honorary Fellow of Liverpool’s John Moores University, in recognition of his “outstanding contribution to children’s literature”.