Jean Marsh, the actress and co-creator of Upstairs, Downstairs, has died aged 90.

The star died peacefully at her London home on Sunday.

Her close friend, the film-maker Michael Lindsay-Hogg, said she had passed away because of complications with dementia.

Upstairs, Downstairs won a Peabody Award and seven Emmys and was screened on ITV in Britain from 1971 to 1975 and in the US between 1974 to 1977.

Marsh appeared in the role of Rose Buck, the head parlour maid, who was a firm but loveable Cockney who became popular with the fans.

She won the 1975 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the role and she returned as a housekeeper in a BBC revival of the show during 2010.