One Direction met with tears Down Under

Australia's pre-teen and teenage girls greeted British boy band One Direction to the country with songs.... screams... and tears.

One fan at Sydney airport was overcome with emotion.

SOUNDBITE: Unidentified Fan, saying (English):

"They're so amazing. They're so... Have you seen them? They're so hot it's ridiculous, they are amazing, they sing like angels and you just see them and you just want to cry all the time."

The group didn't stop to greet fans but that didn't deter the girls from following their every move, including staking out their hotel.

Some of the boys did give a quick wave to fans before heading out on an afternoon by boat in Sydney Harbour.

One Direction are set to kick off their Australian and New Zealand tour after promotional appearances in the United States.

The boys have taken global pop charts by storm, with their first album "Up All Night" debuting at number one in 12 countries, including big markets like the US, UK and Australia.

Cindy Martin, Reuters