For more local news and photos grab a copy of the Bay Post or Moruya Examiner.

The Year 7 student found out about legendary pop singer Michael Jackson’s death on the evening news and says she was glued to the TV for the rest of the evening, waiting to find out what happened.

Ms Martin has been a fan of Jackson’s since she could remember his name, loving his music, his dancing and the man himself.

“I feel like I have to defend him,” she said. “Now that he’s gone, everyone’s making jokes.”

Ms Martin said her mother was also a huge Michael Jackson fan.

Jackson was set to embark on a world tour this month, starting with 50 concerts in London.

He started his musical career as the youngest member of the Jackson Five in 1966 and was 50-years-old when he died in his rented house in Los Angeles.

Batemans Bay retail shops, which stock music CDs, have reported an increase in demand for anything Michael Jackson.

The Rock Factory manager Estel Melrose said the Batemans Bay shop in the Village Centre sold out of all Michael Jackson items on Friday morning, not long after news reached local fans.

A Kmart spokesperson said the Batemans Bay store sold out of Michael Jackson CDs on Saturday morning.

Both stores will be getting more Michael Jackson CDs and DVDs in the coming weeks.

See the editorial online