Ozzy Osbourne gets raucous and emotional send-off

Ozzy Osbourne's family have accompanied the rock legend's coffin on an emotional final journey through his home city, watched on by thousands of fans who cheered and chanted his name.

A tearful Sharon Osbourne added a pink rose to dozens of tributes that have been left by fans in central Birmingham, consoled by family members including children Kelly and Jack.

The large crowd created a highly-charged atmosphere, giving the heavy metal star a respectful but fittingly raucous send-off as they chanted: "Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!"

The funeral procession was led by a brass band playing Black Sabbath songs, with Ozzy's body transported in a hearse topped by a purple floral tribute in the shape of a cross.

A private funeral is expected to take place on Thursday.

The procession took place a week after Ozzy's death at the age of 76, and less than a month after his triumphant farewell concert for 40,000 fans at Villa Park football ground.

On Wednesday, the cortege drove past the stadium and his childhood home before heading into Birmingham city centre, where fans wearing Ozzy and Sabbath T-shirts and scarves lined Broad Street. Some threw flowers, and spontaneous chants and singalongs erupted in the crowd.

The procession stopped on Black Sabbath Bridge, where a bench bearing images of the band's members has been turned into a makeshift memorial.

Over the past week, fans have been leaving flowers, messages, empty beer bottles and even bat-shaped balloons - a reference to the infamous 1982 incident when the rock hellraiser bit the head off a bat on stage.

When Sharon emerged from her car, she was supported - physically and morally - by Kelly and Jack, who were either side as she placed her rose on the existing bed of floral tributes. Kelly and Jack also laid flowers, as did sister Aimee, and Louis, Ozzy's son from his first marriage.

They were joined by other members of Ozzy family and including his grandchildren and Kelly's fiancé, Slipknot DJ Sid Wilson.

Family members hugged as they spent five minutes looking at the tributes and taking in the crowd.

Fans shouted their support, with cries of "We love you Ozzy!", "Ozzy forever!" and "Sharon we love you!"

Sharon acknowledged the fans by raising arms and giving a peace sign before getting back into a people carrier and the cortege continued past more mourners.