THE members of The Pogues have said they are "saddened beyond words" following the death of bass guitarist Darryl Hunt.

The Hampshire-born bassist died on Monday at the age of 72, a short statement from the band confirmed yesterday.

A spokesperson for the band, which is fronted by singer Shane MacGowan, said in a social media post: "We are saddened beyond words. Our Darryl passed away yesterday afternoon in London."

They posted a lyric from the Pogues' song 'Love you til the End', which was penned by Hunt for their final studio album, 1996's Pogue Mahone.

The lyric of the song - which featured on the soundtrack to 2007 hit film P.S I Love You, an adaption of the popular novel by Dublin author Cecilia Ahern - states: "I know you want to hear me catch my breath. I love you till the end."

The band's tin whistle player, Spider Stacy, said in a tweet following news of his bandmate's death: "This is wretched. See you around the way, Daz."

Hunt joined The Pogues in 1986 after working with the group as a tour roadie.

His bass playing first featured on their 1988 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God, which features the group's most popular track, the festive hit and duet with singer Kirsty MacColl, 'Fairytale of New York'.

Following the break-up of The Pogues in 1996, Hunt joined members Spider Stacy and Andrew Ranken in new group The Vendettas.

The Pogues reformed in 2001, with Hunt joining them on tours, but no new material was recorded by the group, which split again in 2015.

Among musical peers to pay tribute to Hunt was bassist with Britpop-era group Ocean Colour Scene, Ray Meade.

"So sad to hear of Darryl Hunt passing. A Pogue and a truly brilliant bass player," he tweeted yesterday.