Ronnie Hilton, the Fifties heart-throb and ballad singer, has died aged 75 at a Sussex nursing home.

Hilton, who had a string of hits in the Fifties and early Sixties, had been ill for some time and had suffered several strokes.

He died at the Ersham House Nursing Home in Hailsham today, according to the showbusiness charity which looked after him, The Grand Order of Water Rats.

Hilton, who was born in Hull in 1926, will probably be best remembered for his signature tune, No Other Love, and the children's classic, A Windmill In Old Amsterdam, which sold more than a million copies.

He appeared in three Royal Variety Performances and was the presenter of the popular Radio Two series Sounds of the Fifties.

He is survived by his wife Chrissy and four children, three from his first marriage to Joan who died in 1985.

Sixties singing star Jess Conrad paid tribute to Hilton, describing him as one of the great showbusiness performers. He said: "He had so much class, which is something you need in this game. His death is a tremendous loss to showbusiness."

Hilton's last public appearance came in August last year when he attended the late Russ Conway's 75th birthday show in Eastbourne.