FOOTBALL superstar George Best brought a touch of flower power to Sale, almost 50 years ago.

George had a flower power-themed promotion at his clothes shop on August 31, 1967, 17 months after the Manchester United star had opened the boutique in Cross Street.

And former Davyhulme resident Roma Ankers (nee Watts) has vivid memories of the day - as she took centre stage in a photo shoot.

Roma, who was then aged 20, knew George from working as a receptionist at night clubs he went to, Le Phonographe and Annabel's.

She was part of a large group who regularly went around with George.

She recalls they often went to places such as the Brown Bull pub in Salford. The football genius would also go with them to watch friends play Sunday football at Platt Fields in Fallowfield.

She said: "It wasn't like today - he could go anywhere he liked."

George asked Roma to come down to his boutique for the promotion event, which was held on August 31, 1967, and she agreed.

She recalled: "It was very busy and we were all dressed in flower power clothes."

They had planned to take pictures with George in a flower-painted car in a pub car park next to the shop, but they decided against that because of the large number of fans, including many school children, outside on busy Washway Road.

"He would have been mobbed so we had a few photos taken there without George.

"Then we went to Sale tip - near what is now Carrinngton Spur - and took some photos there with George."

As well as being a nightclub receptionist, Roma also had a daytime job as a telephonist at a Trafford Park firm.

She said her boss was surprised to see her photograph in the paper the next morning.

"He was shocked as I'd always kept the two sides of my life separate, but I just told him it was a one-off."

Roma, who is now aged 68 and lives on the Welsh border with husband Ron, also lived in Spain later in the 1960s, and would meet George there when he was on holiday.

She said: "He would always help you out, but he was very unreliable.

"He was a great guy, but he would let you down."