Duncan Edwards remembered in Dudley on 60th anniversary of Munich Air Disaster

A wreath was laid beneath Duncan's statue by the Mayor of Dudley as part of a special service.

Manchester United player Duncan was on board the plane, carrying 23 people including seven of his team-mates, which crashed in Munich, Germany, on February 6, 1958.

He was the only player of the Busby Babes on board to survive the impact, but died 15 days later, aged 21, in hospital due to his severe injuries.

The special service in Dudley town centre began at 3.04pm on Tuesday, which was the exact time of the air crash.

The plane was carrying the team back to England from Belgrade, with a refuelling stop in Munich.

A minute's applause was held and the Mayor of Dudley, councillor Dave Tyler, gave a speech.

Ahead of the event, he said: "Whatever team you support today, all rivalries need to be put aside.

"This is about a man who would have become one of the finest footballer's of his generation. He never reached his potential.

"Although Manchester United was his team, they were only borrowing him because he was a Dudley lad and always will be."

Bobby Charlton, who won the World Cup with England in 1966, described Duncan as the best player he had ever seen or played with.

Duncan is honoured with a statue in his home town, and some of his memorabilia has gone on display at the Dudley Archives centre on Tipton Road.

Dozens of people gathered to pay their respect at the service, despite snow falling over Dudley.

Tributes were also held in Manchester and Munich.

Manchester United held a memorial service at Old Trafford yesterday, which saw hundreds of fans gather to pay their respect.

United manager Jose Mourinho, and club captain Michael Carrick, each laid a wreath.

Bayern Munich tweeted: "We will never forget. #FlowersOfManchester"