Tributes from the literary world were paid last night to Catcher in the Rye author JD Salinger, who has died aged 91.

The American author's influential book was described as a work which would be read "for probably the rest of time".

A statement released through the author's literary representative said Mr Salinger died of natural causes at his home.

Author and literary director of the prestigious Booker Prizes Ion Trewin said: "It's interesting how one book can really become an institution. It has meant so much to several generations, particularly young people growing up who can see something in his book - they can identify with him. I can't think of any book that does it in the same way... With that one book he will go on being read for probably the rest of time."

Mr Trewin recalled he was aged in his twenties when he first read the work. "He published hardly anything else," he said. "What he will be remembered for is one of the most remarkable books about growing up. I think everybody identifies in some way with it."

He described the book's rebellious character Holden Caulfield as "fascinating".