The Italian writer and philosopher Umberto Eco, best known for his novel The Name of the Rose, has died aged 84.

His family said he passed away late last night at his home. No further details were given.

The Name of the Rose was made into a film in 1989 starring Scottish actor Sean Connery.

Eco, who also wrote the novel Foucault's Pendulum, continued to publish new works, with Year Zero released last year.

He also wrote children's books and literary criticism.

Eco once wrote that "books always speak of other books, and every story tells a story that has already been told".

"I am a philosopher," he was quoted as saying. "I write novels only on the weekends."