Extra flights urged for Best's funeral

Airlines will be urged to lay on extra flights to Belfast amid intense demand to get to George Best’s funeral, it emerged tonight.

With half a million people expected to bring the city to a standstill, police also expressed concerns over the route.

The return of the soccer legend’s body has already been delayed as his family and government officials finalise details for one of the largest public gatherings ever in Northern Ireland.

Relatives and VIP guests will attend Saturday’s service at Parliament Buildings, Stormont hosted by television celebrity Eamonn Holmes.

Belfast singers Brian Kennedy and Peter Corry have agreed to perform, organisers said.

Invitations have been sent out to the Queen and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who are both expected to send representatives.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and the club’s chief executive David Gill will be among those attending.

Although the Great Hall holds only 300 guests, the service is to be televised live.

Huge screens will also be erected in the grounds for the crowds at Stormont.

Irish League soccer fixtures scheduled for Saturday have been postponed, while past and present footballing stars are expected to attend.

Attendance is expected to outstrip the mass gathering for motorcycle star Joey Dunlop in 2000.

Nearly all 3,000 hotel rooms in the Greater Belfast area have already been booked out for the weekend.

And organisers have launched an urgent attempt to ease the pressure on getting to Belfast in time.

“The big problem we have is flights into the province,” one of those drawing up plans said.

“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.”

As the wave of emotion since Best’s death continued to sweep across Northern Ireland, the Government faced growing demand to name a new national sports stadium after the Manchester United star.

Northern Ireland Sports Minister David Hanson stressed it would take time to finalise a decision on the arena, planned for the site of the old Maze Jail and which will also be the base for rugby and Gaelic games.

He said: “It is clear that George‘s life has meant a lot to a lot of people in Northern Ireland.

“The people of Northern Ireland and people throughout the United Kingdom want to celebrate George‘s life in a positive way.

“He has been one of the greatest footballers that ever lived. He has brought much glory, pleasure and joy to people throughout the world.”

Before mourners gather at Stormont, a private service will be held at the home of Best’s father, Dickie, in east Belfast’s Cregagh estate.

The sporting icon’s agent, Phil Hughes, was due to fly into the city on Wednesday with the body.

But his arrival is now set to be closer to the weekend.

He said: “Police are very concerned we will close Belfast down if we arrive on Wednesday.”

After the ceremony at Stormont, Best‘s body will be taken for burial beside his mother, Ann, at Roselawn Cemetery on the Castlereagh hills overlooking Belfast.