Belfast singer Bap Kennedy - the older brother of Brian Kennedy - has died after a battle with cancer, aged 54.

The former Energy Orchard frontman died on Tuesday evening shortly after 6pm after a battle with pancreas and bowel cancer, reports Belfast Live.

A notice on his Facebook page, reads: "We are devastated to announce that Bap passed away this evening. Bap was extremely brave until the end.

"We would like to thank everybody for their kind messages of support over the past few months, these meant a lot to Bap and Brenda and helped Bap stay positive throughout his illness.

"We are also extremely grateful to all the staff at the Marie Curie hospice for their kindness and warmheartedness during his stay."

Kennedy was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and had been due to perform at a festival in Mayo on May 7 but instead had to be taken to the Ulster Hospital suffering from severe stomach pains.

The singer/ songwriter underwent major surgery after a series of tests revealed he had cancer in his pancreas and bowel.

He began an online blog to keep fans up-to-date on his progress after being overwhelmed by messages of support.

"Once they opened me up the surgeons found that they could do nothing to remove the cancer, and they discovered some more," he said in his blog.

"Very bad news for me, and really the worst case scenario.

"I want to use my time to fix the things I can and put as much love as I can into the world before the boatman rows me across the big river. I'm not afraid."

Bap had just finished recording his new album Reckless Heart when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The album will be released next month.

In September Brian Kennedy revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer, just weeks after learning that Bap was also battling the disease.

"I got to see him again and give him a hug and if anything good has come out of this, it was the chance to see him again. Cancer puts manners on people and situations." he told Matt Cooper, who runs a Dare to Care cancer awareness drive on The Last Word on Today FM.

Sad to hear about the death of #BapKennedy. Sleep well. — Paul Maskey (@PaulMaskeyMP) November 1, 2016