Nelson Mandela: Route to lying in state

People in Pretoria lined the streets as Nelson Mandela's body was driven through the city to lie in state at the Union Buildings, the South African seat of government. Mr Mandela's body is being transported there at 07:00 local time on three successive mornings, before public viewings each day. On Saturday, the former president's body will be flown to the Eastern Cape. He will be laid to rest in Qunu, where he grew up, on Sunday.

Wednesday's procession taking Nelson Mandela's body to Union Buildings left the Military Hospital shortly after 07:00 (05:00 GMT).

Crowds lined the route along Pretoria's Madiba Street.

There was a mood of celebration on the streets, with people singing and dancing before the procession passed.

The coffin arrived at Union Buildings with a military escort. Among the first to file past the body were Mr Mandela's second wife, Winnie and President Jacob Zuma.

Members of the public queued outside the Union Buildings to view Nelson Mandela's open casket.

The queues returned on Thursday - with people queuing at the Pretoria show grounds for buses to take them to the Union Buildings.