One of the most influential preachers of the 20th Century whose career began just after the 2nd World War, Billy Graham has died aged 99.

Graham became one of the best-known promoters of Christianity, preaching to audiences worldwide in large arenas, beginning in London in 1954.

He became popular as worshippers fled notorious cult leaders the likes of Billy Branham, from whom the jailed pastor Robert Gumbura hails.

Over 60 years, he is estimated to have personally preached to 210 million people, the BBC reports.

At first sceptical of the civil rights movement in the US, he went on to become a supporter in the 1950s.

He became a committed Christian at the age of 16 after hearing a travelling evangelist and was ordained a minister in 1939.