Emotional photos show thousands of mourners in Birmingham for the funeral procession of Ozzy Osbourne

Thousands of Ozzy Osbourne fans have lined the streets of Birmingham today (Wed) as the Prince of Darkness made his final journey through his home city.

Mourners began lining Broad Street from as early as 5am to pay their respects to the legendary heavy metal icon following his death aged 76 last week.

His funeral procession will pass by the Black Sabbath Bridge, which has been transformed into a giant shrine featuring hundreds of flowers and tributes.

Sign up for our free newsletters today

Fans began flocking to the area early this morning and chants of 'Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy' could be heard while nearby bars blasted out Black Sabbath hits.

One fan said: "This is bigger than The Queen's passing" while another added: "He was our legend, our king."

Read more: How to watch Ozzy Osbourne funeral procession in Birmingham

Among them was Jen Butler, 46, of Smethwick, West Mids., who arrived at 5.45am this morning.

She said: " I became a fan when I was eight-years-old. My whole life has literally been this man.

"Honestly, when he passed, I thought it was a prank, it's only today that I've had enough courage to come down and see the memorial.”