Jack Nicholson in The Shining. (Handout)

Stephen King has thrilled horror fans by announcing the release date for his upcoming sequel to The Shining

The long-awaited follow-up, entitled Doctor Sleep, will hit shelves on Sept. 24 next year, the author confirmed on his website on Tuesday.

The novel will centre around a hospice worker who helps his patients die painlessly, and comes into contact with a group of psychic vampires.

King's 1977 classic was adapted for the big screen three years later and the film, directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson, became a cult favourite.