US fans gathered in the garden dedicated to Lennon

Fans, some of whom said they half-expected the news of Harrison's death, were nonetheless devastated.

Music-lovers also laid flowers and lit candles at Strawberry Fields in New York's Central Park, an area created in memory of John Lennon, who was murdered nearby in 1980.

Mourners left tributes at Abbey Road recording studios in north-west London, where the Beatles recorded almost all their famous tracks, and Harrison's home, Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames.

Harrison, who was 58, died at 1330 local time on Thursday, at the home of his friend Gavin De Becker, in Los Angeles. His wife Olivia and son Dhani, 24, were at his side.

Harrison was the youngest Beatle

Harrison's family issued a statement saying: "He left this world as he lived in it, conscious of God, fearless of death, and at peace, surrounded by family and friends.

"He often said, 'Everything else can wait but the search for God cannot wait, and love one another'."

Cancelled

Sales of Harrison's albums have shot up during the day, and a remastered version of his most popular solo release All Things Must Pass has gone into the top 10 of internet store Amazon.

Organisers of the first Top of the Pops Awards, held in Manchester on Friday night, paid tribute to Harrison during the ceremony.

Sir Paul McCartney, who was being honoured at the awards did not attend after hearing of Harrison's death.

But he said in a statement: "I would like to dedicate this award with love to my brother George, without whom it all would not have been possible."

Fans have laid flowers at his statue in Liverpool

Earlier Sir Paul said: "I am devastated and very, very sad.

"We knew he'd been ill for a long time. He was a lovely guy and a very brave man and had a wonderful sense of humour.

"He is really just my baby brother."

Harrison's death also brought tributes from the UK's most senior figures as well as others close to the singer.

Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth was "very sad to hear of the death of George Harrison".

Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "He wasn't just a great musician, an artist, but did a lot of work for charity as well. He'll be greatly missed around the world."

'Laughter'

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, speaking from a friend's house in Vancouver, Canada said: "George was a best friend of mine.

Harrison married his second wife Olivia in 1978

"We will miss George for his sense of love, his sense of music and his sense of laughter."

John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, said: "George has given so much to us in his lifetime and continues to do so even after his passing, with his music, his wit and his wisdom.

"Thank you George, it was grand knowing you."

Beatles producer Sir George Martin said: "I believe, as he did, that he has entered a higher state. God give him peace."

Harrison announced in July he had received treatment in Switzerland for a tumour. He had surgery for lung cancer in May.

George was the first Beatle to enjoy solo success

Harrison's life was also threatened when he was stabbed by an intruder at his home in at Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire in 1999.

The former Beatle, who was the group's youngest member, was just 27 when the band split in 1970.

They managed to conquer the world musically, achieving 27 number one records in the UK and the US during their career - and topping the charts again in 2000 with a compilation of all their number one hits.

The Beatles: Achieved unprecedented fame

Harrison's post-Beatles career started with the critically acclaimed solo album All Things Must Pass.

He became a film producer in 1979, backing Monty Python's Life of Brian and, later, The Long Good Friday, Time Bandits and Mona Lisa.

Always known for his spirituality, Harrison summed up his personal mission succinctly in 1992: "The purpose of life is to find out 'Who am I?', 'Why am I here?' and 'Where am I going?'"