Founder of ethical cosmetics firm Body Shop, Dame Anita Roddick, has died at the age of 64.

Her family said in a statement she suffered 'a major brain haemorrhage' at 1830 BST at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex.

Her husband, Gordon, and daughters Sam and Justine were all with her.

Dame Anita set up the first Body Shop in Brighton in 1976. She pioneered cruelty-free beauty products and turned them into a highly profitable business.

In February she announced she had contracted Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion in 1971.

She had been taken to hospital on Sunday evening after she collapsed complaining of a headache.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to Dame Anita, calling her 'one of the country's true pioneers' and an 'inspiration' to businesswomen.

He said: 'She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market.

'She will be remembered not only as a great campaigner but also as a great entrepreneur.'

The Body Shop became part of the French company L'Oreal Group in July 2006 but is run independently.