TRIBUTES have been paid to nightclub mogul Peter Stringfellow.

The businessman, whose clubs attracted celebrities from around the world, died in the early hours of Thursday morning at the age of 77 after privately battling cancer.

His ex-girlfriend and former Leader columnist Lucy Carr, from Flint, paid tribute to him in a statement.

She said: "Peter was a huge part of my life and I loved him very dearly.

"I am deeply saddened by the news of his death. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time"

Mr Stringfellow's publicist Matt Glass told the Press Association: "It's very sad news. He passed away in the early hours of this morning. It was kept very private, he didn't want to tell. He wanted to keep it a secret."

Many celebrities have also paid tribute including Lord Sugar, Boy George and radio presenter Tony Blackburn.

Mr Stringfellow started in the night time trade in the early 1960s, and recalled booking acts including The Beatles, The Kinks and Jimi Hendrix to play at his clubs.

In 1980, he opened Stringfellows in Covent Garden in London's West End and went on to create venues in Paris, New York, Miami, and Beverly Hills.