Sir Bobby goes to Munich memorial

Sir Bobby Charlton survived the disaster in 1958

Sir Bobby Charlton is to lead a delegation from Manchester United FC to Germany to unveil a new tribute to the victims of the Munich air disaster.

A memorial stone made out of dark blue granite with a sandstone border will feature the names of the 23 people who died in the crash in 1958.

The coats of arms of Manchester and Munich will also appear on the stone.

It will be officially unveiled at the crash site near the village of Kirchtrudering on 22 September.

Currently the only memorial at the site is a trough of flowers with a small memorial inscription.

Twenty-three people died in the Munich air crash

German politician Hermann Memmel, who worked on the project, said: "When Man United play in Munich, Kirchtrudering becomes something of a place of pilgrimage for the English.

"A memorial for the victims of the Munich air disaster on 6 February 1958 shows a mark of humanity and represents a contribution to international understanding between England and Germany that is not to be underestimated."

The tragedy happened as the United team was travelling back from a European Cup tie in Belgrade.

Among the dead were eight members of the famous Busby Babes - named after manager Sir Matt Busby - died. They were Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Billy Whelan and Tommy Taylor.

Club secretary Ken Merrett and chief executive David Gill will join Sir Bobby, who survived the crash.