HEATON Park has been designated a park and ride site to help ferry sporting enthusiasts to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

There will be capacity for 2,000 cars and this will allow people to park and continue their journey into Manchester city centre by Metrolink.

Heaton Park has been selected as one of two park and ride sites, the other is at Manchester United's ground, by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority. Bosses have unveiled a transport strategy which they hope will encourage spectators to leave their cars behind and make their trip to the mammoth sporting event by public transport.

Special shuttle buses will be used to take visitors from the city centre to the the Sportcity venues.

The Commonwealth Games are to be staged in Manchester between July 25 and August 4.