Jean-Marie Le Pen, the father of Marine Le Pen, has died aged 96, according to French media.

After spending several weeks in a care facility, the politician died at midday on Tuesday "surrounded by his loved ones", according to a family statement.

Famously a Holocaust denier and far right politician, Le Pen founded the French National Front party in 1972 until his daughter took over in 2011.

Marine Le Pen has since renovated her party as the National Rally, driving it to become a predominant political force in France.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the father of Marine Le Pen, has died aged 96, according to French media