A BRONZE figurine of football legend George Best made by a Huddersfield firm raised £6,000 for the charity that bears his name.

The bronze, made by Emulate Studio, was the star lot in an auction of footballing memorabilia at a George Best tribute dinner at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground.

The bidder fought off stiff competition to get his hands on the figurine - the factory `proof' of a sculpture entitled Best Moment.

The figure depicts George celebrating scoring Manchester United's second goal in the club's 4-1 European Cup win over Benfica at Wembley in 1968.

It is the only figurine design in the world to be officially endorsed by the player.

It fetched £6,000 for the George Best Liver Foundation, which was set up following his death at the age of 59 last November.

Emulate Studio, run by business partners Ian Dickinson and Mike Graham, has created a limited edition of 1,968 of the figures. It is selling them for £495 each to collectors around the world.

The factory proof was presented to successful bidder Mario O'Neill, of Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, by George Best's son, Calum.

Calum said: "This really is a fantastic figurine of my father. I had never seen it before and I am extremely impressed."

The dinner followed a memorial service for Best at Manchester Cathedral, which was attended by former United greats, including Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and Brian Robson.

Mr Dickinson and Mr Graham were invited to the service and dinner, where they rubbed shoulders with stars who included Paul Gascoigne and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Mr Dickinson, of Berry Brow, said: "We came up with the idea for the figurine and got in touch with George's agent, Phil Hughes.

"We met George at his home and presented him with the first prototype for his 55th birthday. He was an absolute gentleman."

Mr Dickinson said: "George Best was the greatest player ever to come out of the British Isles, possibly the world.

"When you have Pele saying George Best was the greatest who are we to argue?"