Celebrated rock guitarist and former Thin Lizzy star Gary Moore has been found dead in a Spanish hotel room.

The Belfast-born musician was 58.

"It is with deep sorrow and regret that we have to announce that Gary Moore passed away while on holiday in Spain last night," a message on his official website said.

"Our thoughts are with his children, family and friends at this sad time."

A post-mortem is due to be carried out in the Spanish city of Malaga, the Irish Times website reports.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman in London said: "We are aware (of Moore's death), and we stand ready to provide consular assistance. We are very sorry for his family's loss."

Moore was just 16 years old when he moved from Belfast to Dublin in 1969 to join Skid Row.

Moore was later drafted into Irish rock band Thin Lizzy to replace the outgoing Eric Bell.

The band is best known for hit songs like Whiskey In The Jar and The Boys Are Back In Town.

"I still can't believe it," Bell told the BBC.

"He was so robust, he wasn't a rock casualty, he was a healthy guy.

"He was a superb player and a dedicated musician."

Moore started learning the guitar at eight years of age, and went on to forge a successful solo career in between his two stints in Thin Lizzy, collaborating with George Harrison, the Beach Boys and Ozzy Osbourne.

Original Thin Lizzy founding member Brian Downey paid tribute to his bandmate.

"I am in total shock," he said.

"He will always be in my thoughts and prayers and I just can't believe he is gone."

- AFP/Reuters