A public memorial for Michael Jackson will take place next Tuesday in Los Angeles following a private funeral, it’s been announced.

Fan can register for the free tickets to the event at the Staples Center, which gets under way at 10am (PST).

Eleven thousand tickets will be chosen at random, while an additional 6,500 will be available at the Nokia Theatre.

Los Angeles police chief Earl Paysinger said: "If you do not have a ticket, if you are not credentialed, not only will you not be allowed at these venues, you will not be allowed in this area."

The draw is only open to US citizens, but that hasn’t stopped officials from planning for an army of Jackson’s fans to attend from around the world.

Organisers are to erect large TV screens around the Staples Center to accommodate fans without tickets.

And those who cannot make it to Los Angeles will be able to watch the memorial on television.

The event has been declared a "fiscal state of emergency" by the state of California amid confusion over who will pay for it.

Meanwhile, Jackson’s brother, Jermaine, announced that a private memorial for family and friends would take place before the public service.

Jackson died on June 25 after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles.

The 50-year-old's sudden death came on the eve of planned comeback concerts in London.

(by Jason Gregory)