British cartoonist Ronald Searle, famed for his drawings of the riotous St Trinian’s girls school that inspired a series of films, has died aged 91.

“He requested a private cremation with no fuss and no flowers,” a family statement said.

Mr Searle was born in Cambridge, east England, and began drawing when he was five.

A member of the Royal Engineers during World War II, he survived malaria and frequent beatings after he was sent to a Japanese prisoner of war camp following the fall of Singapore.

Mr Searle produced a harrowing series of sketches documenting his experience, but became more well-known for his cartoon creation of the St Trinian’s school, a satire on the wholesome girls’ boarding schools featured in the works of Enid Blyton.

They spawned a series of films, the latest of which was released in 2007 and starred Oscar-winner Colin Firth, comedian Russell Brand and Bond-girl Gemma Arterton.