Plans for Best memorial underway

Plans to build a permanent memorial to honour the late George Best are expected to be given the go ahead at a council meeting tonight.

Although Councillors have already given their support for a statue or sculpture to be erected, the proposal must gain approval at the authority's monthly meeting.

The memorial is expected to cost around £100,000.

Ulster Unionist Councillor Jim Rodgers has suggested that it is unlikely that the council will object and the final decision will lie with the Best family.

He said: "It's now up to the family themselves. They are the key people, not the elected members.

"I have spoken to George's father Dickie, and he thinks it's a wonderful idea."

The former Manchester United superstar was laid to rest at Roselawn Cemetery last month after what can only be described as the closest thing Northern Ireland will ever see to a state funeral.

It is estimated that around a thousand people a day still visit Best's grave in the Castlereagh Hills where he was buried beside his mother Ann.

In order to protect the cemetery from any damage, which may be caused to other graves, efforts have been stepped up to find an alternative place for fans to pay their respects the footballing legend.

Mr Rodgers believes that a site at the front of the city hall would be a fitting tribute.

(EF/SP)