The designer of the original Starship Enterprise has died.

Walter "Matt" Jefferies, the original series art director, died after a long battle with cancer. The exact cause of death is unknown.

His design of the NCC-1701 has become one of the most iconic images of the 1960s and it's influence can be seen throughout the many redesigns of the Enterprise.

Jefferies contribution to the series was acknowledged when the access tunnels in the Enterprise were named "Jefferies tubes".

Herman Zimmerman, production designer on the latest Star Trek series Enterprise, said: "Matt was a gentle soul. He has put his stamp on everything we have done since his brilliant, classic Enterprise."

Michael Okuda, technical consultant on Enterprise, said, "Matt Jefferies' quiet modesty belied the genius of his work, which set the path for all of us who are lucky enough to follow in his very large footsteps.

"Today, nearly four decades later, Matt's original Enterprise still stands as a design classic. We will miss him greatly."