Ian Hughes, who worked on television's The Fresh Prince of Bel Air series and feature film Dumb and Dumber, had been battling against a brain tumour.

He had been playing on and editing an album in Truro when he was diagnosed with the illness last May. Mr Hughes regarded Cornwall as his spiritual home and was a regular visitor to friends near Carnon Downs.

In July he conducted a concert of his music to The Mousehole Cat and The Story of Arion and The Dolphin at the Hall For Cornwall in Truro.

This took an enormous physical toll on him but failed to stop him planning to conduct a further concert in September. Although he attended the event he was unable to conduct.

Friend of Mr Hughes Truro businessman David White said he was "an inspiration to all who met him" adding that he had been a powerful force behind the Cornish Sinfonia as their artistic director.

Mr Hughes was educated in music at the Redbridge Music School and the Royal School of Church Music before entering the Royal Academy of Music to study composition, piano and percussion.
His work as a composer includes television, films, theatre and the concert hall.

As an arranger he has worked on many high profile recording projects and has five top ten hit singles to his credit.
Mr Hughes has worked as musical director on a long line of award-winning West End musicals, including Sweeney Todd and Me and My Girl.

Latterly he developed a successful career as a conductor, working with many of Europe's finest orchestras, including the Philharmonia Orchestra, the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

As composer, Mr Hughes wrote music for television and films in Britain, Canada and the States. His notable projects include Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Dumb and Dumber,Poldark, Life Force and the award-winning aerial documentary series Flying Through History.
Mr Hughes leaves a son, Kyrstian, by his first marriage, and another son Honsi by his partner Hana.