SOCCER - ALL IN THE GAME:THERE WAS excellent news for Gary Neville last week when the planning committee of Bolton's Council supported his plans to build a €9 million futuristic home on moorland near the border with Bury.

Neville was gutted when his application was turned down last year because of the committee’s concerns about the height of a wind turbine he had included in the plans, and that the house would be built on greenbelt land.

But he agreed to lower the height of the turbine to a mere 100ft, resubmitted his plans, and bingo – he just needs government now to give the go-ahead and he’s up and building.

According to the Manchester Evening News, “the house will take the shape of a flower with rooms like petals flowing from the centre. The majority of the home will be underground so moorland will be able to flow across its roofs.”

“Disgusting,” shouted protesters when the decision was announced at Bolton Town Hall, and if you saw the plans for the thing you might be inclined to agree. Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and the gang would love it, though, because it bears an uncanny resemblance to their Teletubbies home.