Michael Jackson fan buys tribute number plate

A Michael Jackson fan has paid the "perfect tribute" to his idol in buying a personalised registration- MJ09 KOP.

Unfortunately Thomas Slater can't put the number on a car, as he is still a learner driver.

The student, from Hitchin, visited the DVLA Personalised Registrations' website soon after hearing the news of Jackson's death, snapping up the MJ09 KOP number plate using his savings from his part-time job in Sainsbury's. By his own admission, he's unlikely to be able to afford a car suitable to place his personalised plate on "for some time".

Thomas, who is studying at North Hertfordshire College, said: "I was absolutely distraught when I heard the news about Michael dying. I've been an avid fan since I was six, and like all true fans I just wanted to pay tribute to the King of Pop.

"Don't ask why, but I immediately went online and had a play with the DVLA's search facility and to my delight MJ09 KOP was available.

"It only cost £390, being able to have his initials, the year of his death and the letters KOP for King of Pop as a registration for my car will always be with me even though I won't be able to afford a car suitable for it for some time."

Damian Lawson, DVLA Personalised Registrations' marketing manager, said: "I take my hat off to Thomas's ingenuity. With more than 30 million registrations on our database, his quick thinking and clever use of available letters and numbers gifted him his personal tribute to Michael Jackson."