Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland football legend George Best has eaten for the first time since his liver transplant operation - but is set to stay in hospital for weeks.

The Cromwell Hospital in London, where Best underwent the lengthy operation on Tuesday, said he was "doing very well" as his recovery continued on a specialist liver ward.

A spokesman said on Friday: "Blood tests are all satisfactory. He is beginning to take small amounts of food and will be sitting up out of bed in a chair later today."

But he added that Best "will be remaining in hospital for some time to come", and that his stay would be "measured in weeks".

The recovering alcoholic, moved from intensive care on Thursday, is sipping specially prepared liquid food.

Rejection of the liver is still a possibility but should not be a major problem by now, consultant physician Professor Roger Williams has said.