Bernie Sanders has urged Democrats to put Hillary Clinton in the White House, in a speech to the party convention.

The Vermont senator received a three-minute standing ovation when he took the stage in Philadelphia.

"Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States," he said as the crowd erupted in cheers.

Earlier in the evening, his fans had booed any mention of Hillary Clinton, who will accept the party's presidential nomination on Thursday.

And as he implored them to back his Democratic rival in the final major speech of the night, they held aloft their blue "Bernie" signs and chanted his name.

Some supporters broke into tears while others wore duct tape emblazoned with the words "silenced" or "silenced by the DNC" over their mouths.

"While Donald Trump is busy insulting one group after another, Hillary Clinton understands that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths," Mr Sanders continued.

"If you don't believe this election is important, if you think you can sit it out, take a moment to think about the Supreme Court justices that Donald Trump would nominate and what that would mean to civil liberties, equal rights and the future of our country," he said.

(BBC)