Black Sabbath have played their last concert Birmingham.

The band credited with inventing heavy metal music played 15 songs ending with their first hit, Paranoid, at the two-hour gig at the NEC Arena.

Ticker tape and balloons fell as singer Ozzy Osbourne thanked fans for nearly five decades of support.

Black Sabbath’s The End Tour began in the US in January 2016 and took in 81 dates across the world.

The tour schedule saw the band visit Australasia, Europe, North America and South America, finishing with two shows in Birmingham.

Black Sabbath were formed in 1968 by Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward.

Image source Wikimedia

While Ozzy Osbourne quit in 1977 to be replaced by Rainbow’s Ronnie James Dio, the classic line-up made their way back in 1997.

Bill Ward has not played with the band since 2012 and Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler were joined on stage at the final shows by drummer Tommy Clufetos and keyboard player Adam Wakeman.

The final song was streamed live on the band’s Facebook page and fireworks went off as the band took their final bow, posing for a farewell photograph in front of the cheering crowd.

“Thank you, goodnight, thank you so much,” Ozzy Osbourne, 68, said as they left the stage.

Tony Iommi gave a thumbs-up as he waved goodbye.

Ozzy Osborne said Black Sabbath’s farewell tour was the definitive end, vowing: “This is definitely it. It’s run its course.”

The fans were having their portraits taken and memories recorded, as part of the Home of Metal project.

The project is asking them to contribute photos and memorabilia for an exhibition celebrating the legacy of Black Sabbath, which will tour internationally in 2018, followed by a summer season in Birmingham and the Black Country in 2019.