STARS from the worlds of sport and showbiz joined forces last night to pay tribute to New York's heroes.

Their support ensured the M.E.N. soccer challenge at the Arena was the most glittering - and moving - occasion of the year.

Soap opera rivalries were forgotten as actors from the nation's favourite TV shows gave up their precious free time to entertain - and help raise $90,000 for New York's bereaved families.

The stars of Coronation Street, Emmerdale, the Royle Family and Casualty played a curtain-raiser match to kick-off proceedings.

And their fans weren't disappointed when the Whites, featuring Ralf Little, Ben Freeman, Michael Le Vell, Chris Bisson, Stephen Arnold and Charlie Dale, beat the Blues, made up of Alan Halsall, Will Mellor, Andrew Whyment, Phil Middlemiss, Mark Monaghan and Jack Marsden - to claim the night's first title.

Shot-stopper

Street star Charlie Dale, who plays mechanic Dennis Stringer, was in goal for the Whites and claimed his shot-stopping was better than that of Manchester United star Fabien Barthez.

Bill Tarmey, Coronation Street's Jack Duckworth, swapped his character's lollipop man's jacket for one with a more ambitious title. Bill, celebrity team manager on the night, sported a coat emblazoned with the words ''Fergie's Successor''.

But none of the stars could forget the real reason they were there.

Ralf Little, who is in Manchester filming location shots for the second series of Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet of Crisps, in which he stars with Will Mellor, said: ''I will play any football any time because I love it, but this was not something I was going to miss.''

He paid tribute to the crowd for the way they observed two minutes' silence in respect of the victims of the September 11 atrocities.

Impeccable crowd

''There is usually at least one person who ruins a silence,'' he said, ''but I think it was a credit to the people of Manchester that, as the presenter said, it was impeccable.''

Phil Middlemiss, best known as the late Des Barnes in Coronation Street, but who last night took on the role of goalkeeper, said: ''I think it's a brilliant event and a very worthwhile cause.''

Casualty star Will Mellor said he would never forget being involved in last night's event.

''This is an event that will never be forgotten,'' he said, ''just as everyone will remember where they were and what they were doing on September 11.''

• Only two of the seven prizes on offer - the City training day and EuroDisney passes - were claimed last night.

They will be presented at a special prize giving at 4pm at the Marriott Hotel in Worsley tomorrow. Check your programmes for the following numbers and winners can collect their prizes.

Please confirm attendance by ringing 07905 078636. The unclaimed prizes are: 06574 Harold Riley drawing, 07434 flights to New York, 06973 signed England Shirt, 06944 VIP United European game ticket and 14889 flights to any USA destination.

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