Best memorial service held in Manchester

A memorial to football legend George Best has been held at Manchester Cathedral.

Family and friends of the Manchester United and Northern Ireland player were joined by a whole host of footballing stars and celebrities to pay tribute to the star who died in November.

Best's son Calum, his former wife Alex and his father Dickie were among the congregation, which also included Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, Northern Ireland-born actor James Nesbitt and singer Russell Watson.

Players from the current United squad, including Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand also attended the service, as well as former stars such as Best's close friend and former teammate Dennis Law.

Members of the public, who won tickets in a ballot, also got the chance to attend, while the service was also shown live on a large screen in Exchange Square for fans to watch.

Best died in London's Cromwell Hospital on November 25 last year. The star, who had battled with an alcohol problem over the years, died of multiple organ failure at the age of 59.

His funeral was held in his hometown of Belfast on December 3. Thousands of fans lined the streets of Belfast and filled the grounds at the Stormont Parliament Buildings to say goodbye to the star, nicknamed the 'Belfast Boy'.

Best was buried in the city's Roselawn Cemetery, beside his mother Ann.

(KMcA/GB)