Michael Jackson memorial: 100,000 fans to converge on Staples Center

Despite warnings from police to stay at home, tens of thousands of fans are likely to take to the streets to pay homage to Jackson.

Michael Jackson fans wait to sign a tribute banner outside the Staples  Center

Riot squads have been placed on standby as police have made it clear that anyone without a valid ticket or wristband will not get within quarter of a mile of the Staples Center.

An exclusion zone has been placed around the sports stadium and public transport diverted away.

Strict parking enforcement will also be in operation to deter fans from driving to downtown Los Angeles and congregating near the stadium A LAPD spokesman said a "tactical alert" has been issued for the force. This allows commanding officers the keep officers on duty over their normal working hours.

A series of barricades have been erected around the sports stadium which usually plays host to the LA Lakers basketball team.

Many fans have travelled over from the UK with both Virgin Atlantic and British Airways reporting an upsurge in sales to Los Angeles ahead of the memorial.

Hotels in the LA area have reported a surge in demand for rooms as fans pour into the city in anticipation for the memorial service.

The cost of the security operation is expected to top more than £1.5m with more than 500 police on duty.

Many of the fans who try to attend are likely to be carrying their own tributes to the "King of Pop" in the form of posters and banners.