Tributes paid to country music icon Loretta Lynn following death aged 90

The family of US country singer Loretta Lynn have confirmed her death aged 90.

In statement, Lynn’s relatives said she had died early on Tuesday morning at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

Veteran country singer Dolly Parton lead tributes, saying she considered Lynn her sister and that she would “dearly” miss her.

In a post on social media, she wrote: “So sorry to hear about my sister, friend Loretta.

“We’ve been like sisters all the years we’ve been in Nashville and she was a wonderful human being, wonderful talent, had millions of fans and I’m one of them.

“I miss her dearly as we all will. May she rest in peace”.

Her sister and fellow singer Stella Parton also paid tribute, writing: “My heart is broken with the news of my sweet friend Loretta Lynn passing.

“I will remember all the sweet visits and laughs we shared. RIP sweet Angel.”

Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus shared a photo of her 2004 studio album Van Lear Rose which she had autographed for him.

He said: “Celebrating the life of Loretta Lynn. One of my highest honours was being joined by her and George Jones on a song I wrote called ‘Country Music Has The Blues’.

“She handed me this wonderful gift on that day. #lorettalynn.”

US singer Carole King described Lynn as an inspiration as she posted a photo of the singer smiling while sitting by a piano on Twitter.

God’s Country singer Blake Shelton said it was “terrible news” and sent his prayers to her family.

A statement from Lynn’s family shared on Twitter said: “Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, October 4th, in her sleep at home at her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills.”