Passengers up in air over Best special

AN air service between Belfast and Manchester is to be named after George Best.

The inaugural flight, The George Best, will leave Belfast City airport next Wednesday and among the passengers will be his father, Dickie, his brother Ian and four sisters, Barbara, Carol, Grace and Julie, who are planning to attend a memorial service in Manchester Cathedral the following day.

Norman McNarry, a brother-in-law of the soccer star who died last November aged 59, said: "It is another tribute to George and an indication of how people feel about him."

Mike Rutter, flybe's chief commercial officer, and the Best family will unveil the aircraft, carrying on its side a portrait of the former Manchester United star.