Puppeteer John Henson, the son of the late Muppets creator Jim Henson, has died following a "massive heart attack" at his home in New York.

His sister Cheryl Henson said her 48-year-old brother died at his home in Saugerties on Friday after he had been building an igloo in the snow with one of his daughters.

Henson followed in his famous father's footsteps as a puppeteer, performing as Sweetums the ogre in several films, including Muppet Treasure Island and It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie. He was also a shareholder and board member of the Jim Henson Company.

He leaves behind his wife Gyongyi and two daughters, aged 10 and 15.