Nation uses internet to check on George Best

Internet searches for George Best have skyrocketed as the football legend continues to fight for his life.

According to internet Portal Lycos.co.uk, searches for "George Best" have increased 196 per cent rise over the past 24 hours, one of the highest ever recorded.

Toni Smith, spokesperson for Lycos.co.uk, said: "The rise in searches for information about George Best reflects the affection with which he is held by the Great British public following media reports of his ill-health.

"This is one of the highest ever one-day increases in numbers of searches for an individual that we have seen, so Bestie's place in the nation's heart seems assured. Our users' reaction shows he is still one of the country's best-loved personalities for both his on- and off-field antics."