MANCHESTER is to establish a formal `friendship agreement' with Los Angeles - after being chosen by the American city ahead of London and Birmingham.

The link came about after an approach from the 'City of Angels', which was looking for a suitable UK partner to develop links in business, art, culture, science and education.

The M.E.N. understands the agreement could lead to the setting up of direct flights between Manchester and Los Angeles - a long-term objective of the city council.

Los Angeles, America's second biggest city, is home to movie capital Hollywood, `Silicon Valley' - and David Beckham's LA Galaxy football team.

Manchester has United and City, as well as one of Britain's top-rated universities and a thriving media sector. Neighbouring Salford will soon be home to five departments of the BBC as part of the corporation's `big move north'.

Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese and Tom Labonge, President of Sister Cities of Los Angeles, will sign a tasselled scroll to seal the twinning agreement at the town hall in Albert Square this evening.

The US party was expected to visit Sportcity and the new MediaCity site at Salford Quays before flying back to California tomorrow.

It is expected that representatives from Manchester will visit Los Angeles over coming months.

A council spokesman said: "We will look to visit alongside with a focus on trade and investment links, and with a view to having a presence in LA to promote Manchester, but the key opportunities are still to be discussed."

Council leader Sir Richard Leese said: "I am delighted to welcome our counterparts from Los Angeles council to Manchester in what will be the start of a mutually beneficial partnership.

"The synergies and strengths of both cities, particularly in terms of our sport, creative and media sectors present huge opportunities for promoting cultural and economic exchanges between LA and Manchester."

Manchester already enjoys numerous international links with nations overseas.

It has friendship agreements with the Chinese city of Wuhan, St Petersburg in Russia, Chemnitz in Germany and Faisalabad in Pakistan.

The city has also formed links with Cordoba in Spain, Rehovot in Israel and Bilwi in Nicaragua.