Extra flights urged for Best's funeral

The organisers of George Best's funeral are urging airlines to provide extra flights to Belfast for the soccer legend's funeral on Saturday.

Half a million people are expected to attend the service in what would be one of Northern Ireland's largest ever public gatherings.

Organisers are calling upon a number of airlines to help the city cope with the intense public demand.

"The big problem we have is flights into the province," commented one of the funeral's organisers.

"People wanting to come just can't get flights and we're going to approach British Airways and British Midlands to see if they can put any extra on."

A third of Belfast's population is expected to come out to celebrate the great man's life.

The level of international interest has also caught officials off-guard, with nearly all of Belfast's 3,000 hotel rooms booked out for the weekend.

Alex Ferguson will be among the high-profile guests attending the funeral of the ex-Manchester United star, who passed away last week.

The service will be hosted by Northern Irish TV celebrity Eamonn Holmes.

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