A British tourist refused to give up a seat on a New York City bus which was being kept unoccupied in honour of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, it was reported today.

A soaring rendition of The Lord’s Prayer moved thousands of mourners at the funeral of US civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks today, with a preacher bidding: “Mother Parks, take your rest.”

Rosa Parks’ body has been returned to the city she called home, with thousands waiting in a line more to pay their final respects to the US civil rights leader.