Amy Winehouse family prepares for funeral

More tributes have been paid to singer Amy Winehouse as her family and friends prepare to attend her private funeral, to be held in north London later.

George Michael, on Twitter, called the late star "the most soulful vocalist this country has ever seen".

In a posting on her website, meanwhile, Adele said Winehouse had "paved the way for artists like me and made people excited about British music again".

Winehouse's body was found on Saturday at her home in Camden, north London.

According to a spokesman, the singer's funeral will be for family and close friends only.

It is understood the funeral will take place in north London.

Dionne Bromfield, Winehouse's goddaughter who was signed to the singer's record label, also paid tribute on Twitter saying: "I feel like a part of my soul has departed with the beautiful song bird Amy....Please say a prayer...She loved everyone."

Winehouse was seen out last week when she joined the 15-year-old on stage during a gig at the Roundhouse in Camden and encouraged the audience to buy her album.

An inquest into the singer's death was opened and adjourned until 26 October at London's St Pancras Coroner's Court on Monday.

During the two-minute hearing, an official read out the name, birth date and address of Winehouse, described as "a divorced lady living at Camden Square NW1".

"She was a singer-songwriter at the time of her death and was identified by her family here at St Pancras this morning," said coroner's officer Sharon Duff.

The scene of Winehouse's death, she said, "was investigated by police and determined non-suspicious."

A post-mortem examination also took place on Monday. No cause of death has yet been given.

Results of further toxicology tests could take up to four weeks.

The singer won widespread acclaim with her 2003 debut album Frank, which saw her nominated for the Mercury prize.

But it was 2006's Back to Black which brought her worldwide stardom, winning five Grammy Awards.