Modern Manchester’s building gems are being celebrated in an online A-Z of 20th century architecture.

The CIS Tower and United legend George Best’s former home in Bramhall feature on the ‘greatest hits’ lists drawn up by the Manchester Modernist Society.

The campaign hope to show that modern buildings are just as important as buildings which have stood for hundreds of years – with icons like the Beetham Tower on Deansgate helping put Manchester back on the world design map.

Modernist Society founder member Jack Hale said he hoped the alphabet would encourage people to take an interest in their surroundings.

He said: “The architecture of the recent past in Manchester is often overshadowed by its Victorian counterpart.

“Just think about the black glass and steel of the Daily Express building or the Scandinavian-inspired wood of Oxford Road station – these are beautiful buildings and a real expression of their time.”

The A-Z includes everything from office blocks to the North Manchester Crematorium, built in 1959.

One letter a week is being revealed on the society’s website.

Already featured are Salford’s 1960s Aldine House on New Bailey Street, George Best’s former house on Blossoms Lane in Bramhall and the now demolished Bernard House, which was part of the Piccadilly Plaza complex.

Mr Hale added: “From internationally famous architects such as Serge Chermayeff, to locally based designers such as Frazer Crane, Greater Manchester has a rich heritage of modernist architecture that we want people to be proud of.”