Kim Kardashian has announced that her long-running reality series Keeping Up With The Kardashians will come to an end next year.

The fly-on-the-wall show, which follows Kim, her sisters and the extended Kardashian-Jenner brood, began on E! in 2007 and has aired for more than 250 episodes across 18 seasons, also sparking 12 spinoff shows.

The 19th season has already been filmed and will premiere in the US next Thursday, September 17, to be followed by one final season airing in early 2021.

"It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians," said the family in a statement published by Kim on social media.

"After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and several spin-off shows, we've decided as a family to end this very special journey.

"We are beyond grateful to all of you who've watched us for all of these years - through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children. We'll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we've met along the way.

"Thank you to the thousands of individuals and businesses that have been a part of this experience and most importantly, a very special thank you to Ryan Seacrest (executive producer) for believing in us, E! for being our partner, and our production team at Bunim/Murray who've spent countless hours filming our lives.

"Our last season will air early next year in 2021. We love you!"

In a subsequent statement, E! said: "E! has been the home and extended family to the Kardashian-Jenners for what will be 14 years, featuring the lives of this empowering family. Along with all of you, we have enjoyed following the intimate moments the family so bravely shared by letting us into their daily lives.

"While it has been an absolute privilege and we will miss them wholeheartedly, we respect the family's decision to live their lives without our cameras.

"It is not our final goodbye yet, we are excited to have the new season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians launching on September 17 with the final season airing in 2021.

"We thank the entire extended family and our production partners, Bunim Murray and Ryan Seacrest Productions for embarking on this global phenomenon together."

The exact reason for the Kardashians' decision to end the show is unknown, although it comes after a tumultuous few months that has seen Kim's husband Kanye West suffer with mental health difficulties.