Hundreds gathered at the Romanesque cathedral of Modena for the funeral of Luciano Pavarotti - the city's most famous son.

The opera super star had been lying in state in the cathedral since Thursday following his death from cancer, aged 71.

As befits such a famously ebullient man, Pavarotti's coffin was festooned with an array of colourful flowers, including his favourite - the sunflower.

Leading the mourners was Pavarotti's wife Nicoletta Mantovani, mother of his four-year-old daughter Alice.

Alice looked bemused in the arms of sister Cristina.

His first wife Adua Veroni (R), with whom he had three other daughters, was also there.

Prime Minister Romano Prodi attended the star-studded event.

It included Pavarotti's fellow opera tenor Andrea Bocelli, who sang at the service.

"Farewell Maestro" said the sign on giant screens as people said goodbye.

Those present wanted to take a last gift - a memento from the day.

The Italian aerobatic flight team paid tribute by carrying out an impressive fly-past.