Cleared pop legend Michael Jackson regained his superstar status in one corner of Sussex yesterday.

Music shop owner Paul Clark devoted the window of his record store to the singer.

Jackson, 46, was accused of sexually abusing teenage cancer sufferer Gavin Arvizo, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive.

But the jury in Santa Maria, California, cleared him of all charges.

Paul, who owns Music Meltdown in Sydney Street, Brighton, said: "I always knew Michael was innocent. People kept rattling on about his lost childhood and I think that is exactly what it was - there is nothing nasty in him. People just wanted to make money out of him.

"I played all of Michael's original records and I have always sold them. Even while the trial was on there was no let-up in sales.

"His fans are devoted and I wanted to show he is still hugely popular here."

Paul lived in the United States in 1990 and went to visit the small house in Detroit where Berry Gordy started the Motown Record label, on which Michael Jackson recorded.

He said: "The Jacksons had such modest beginnings. His has been an amazing life story. This is my small tribute to him."