Fans honor Michael Jackson at Apollo Theater

In death, as in life, Michael Jackson is doing things with fairytale extravagance.

The singer's body will be transported to his funeral in a white carriage led by two horses, instead of the traditional black vehicle, it is understood.

Snow white hearse: The horse-drawn carriage that is rumoured to be  carrying Jackson's body to his funeral

His body will then be placed on show in a glass coffin at Neverland, to give fans a chance to say their personal farewells.

The coach and coffin fit Jackson's obsession with children's stories such as Peter Pan and the fantastical style of his Neverland ranch.

Plans are being drafted to have the coffin taken to the ranch tomorrow or Friday and displayed either before or after a private funeral on Sunday, it was reported last night.

Then Jackson fans - expected to turn up in their thousands - will be invited to pay their respects.

Details were sketchy yesterday but some fans began to leave vigils in Los Angeles for the two-hour drive north, intent on being at the front of the queue.

Fans line up outside the Apollo Theatre to pay their respects