The funeral of Augusto Pinochet has been held in Chile as divisions over the former military ruler's legacy sparked mass mourning and opposition protests.

The Chilean government denied the general a state funeral, so the ceremony was conducted with military honours at the Military Academy in the capital, Santiago.

Flags were flown at half-mast and several thousand supporters gathered outside the building, holding photographs of the former leader.

His daughter, Lucia Pinochet Hiriart, urged the crowd to keep alive what she called the flame of freedom of his rule.

After the funeral, Gen Pinochet's body was flown to Concon on the coast to be cremated.

Meanwhile, anti-Pinochet vigils were held outside the presidential palace, La Moneda.

The then president, democratically elected Salvador Allende, died there during the 1973 military coup led by Gen Pinochet.

Gen Pinochet died on Sunday aged 91. More than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared" during his 17-year rule, and he was accused of human rights abuses.