Prince fans to visit star's Minneapolis Paisley Park studio on fifth anniversary of his death

Some 1,400 fans will be welcomed to Prince's Minneapolis studios on Wednesday, marking the fifth anniversary of the singer's death.

The atrium at Paisley Park, where Prince largely worked, will be opened up to the lucky people who scrambled for the free tickets, with thousands of others expecting to lay flowers and pay tribute outside.

Fans will be able to view the star's Paisley-Park shaped urn inside the atrium when they visit on Wednesday.

The Purple Rain performer's ashes were initially on view at the site, which was opened as a museum in October in 2016, and had been placed in the middle of the atrium.

Prince's urn was later moved to a less prominent spot at the museum, before being removed entirely at the request of the singer's family.

The Minneapolis singer died, aged 57, on 21 April in 2016 from an accidental fentanyl overdose, sending shockwaves around the world.

Paisley Park became a museum after his death, but will close for a day to allow the select group of fans into the venue.

Its executive director, Alan Seiffert, said: "So, on this day especially, we acknowledge the incredible force and inspiration Prince is in people's lives and open up our doors for them to pay their respects."

Fans unable to travel will also be able to sign an online memorial on the venue's website.