Andy Griffith, who portrayed a small-town sheriff on US 1960s sitcom The Andy Griffith Show, has died aged 86.

A family statement said Griffith passed away at his home in Manteo, North Carolina on Tuesday morning.

The actor received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest US civilian award, in 2005.

Born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, Griffith starred in the popular eponymous comedy series as Sheriff Andy Taylor from 1960-68.

The show portrayed life in the quiet North Carolina town of Mayberry, where the sheriff had little crime to contend with. It generated several spin-off shows.