Cilla Black funeral: Paul O'Grady and Sir Cliff Richard lead tributes at Liverpool service

Stars, friends and fans have lined the streets to pay their respects to Black

Sir Cliff Richard, Paul O'Grady and Tom Jones have joined a number of stars who attended the funeral of the late entertainer and singer Cilla Black.

Thousands of people gathered on the roads leading up to a church in Liverpool to pay tribute to a local girl who became an entertainment legend, standing for hours until the moment came for Black's cortege to pass.

Black, who died from a stroke caused by a "traumatic" head injury following a fall at her holiday home in Spain, aged 72.

Sir Tom Jones arrives for the funeral of Cilla Black (PA)

Some of her fans travelled to the Woolton area of the city on buses and sat waiting on camping chairs on grass verges.

Paul O'Grady arrives for the funeral of Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool. (PA)

Many shared memories of watching Black perform on stage at Liverpool's famous Cavern club. Others spoke about growing up with her in the city's tough, war-ravaged Scotland Road district.

One of the first people to begin waiting outside the church was her childhood neighbour, Robert Ross, who told the Press Association Black was the “Queen of Liverpool”.

British actress Lorraine Chase arrives at the church during the funeral (AP)

Robert Ross, 72, said: "She was a very bright girl, very down-to-earth. I remember her growing up, singing and dancing, going to different parties, going down to the Cavern Club. She used to perform down there with The Beatles.”

A number of people arrived wearing tributes to Black, including one man who had “goodbye Cilla” written across his chest. Others clutched newspaper clippings and record sleeves from the star's first album.

Sir Cliff, a close friend of Black’s, opened the service with his song 'Faithful One'. Christopher Biggins gave a reading during the service and O'Grady, who described Black as like a sister to him, gave a final eulogy.

Two of her three sons read poems at the service, which was presided over by the Right Reverend Thomas Williams, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool.

Additional reporting by Press Association