A CONONLEY man won a trip of a lifetime prize to see Manchester's top football teams play each other in Texas.

Paul Grundy entered the Singapore Airlines competition advertised in the Guardian Newspaper this month, and was stunned to win.

This enabled him and his partner Lesley Barratt to travel to Houston to watch the Manchester United versus Manchester City friendly derby at the NRG Stadium.

Mr Grundy said he had taken part in the competition so casually that when he was notified of his win six days later he had already forgotten that he'd entered the contest.

"It was fantastic, I was just delighted," he said. "I hadn't thought for one moment that I'd win.

"I've never won anything like this before, and there's still a feeling of disbelief. It also seems such a bizarre concept to go to Texas to see two Manchester football clubs play!"

Mr Grundy explained that the competition, which ran for five days, simply involved him having to take a photo of a Singapore Airlines advert as it appeared in the Guardian, then post that image back to the newspaper.

A few days later he was informed his name had been randomly selected as a winner.

The prize paid for him and his partner to fly from Manchester Airport to Houston in Singapore Airlines' Premium Economy class.

The lucky pair were accommodated for three nights at the four-star Westin Galleria hotel, and attended the Manchester United – Manchester City game, which Manchester United won two nil.

Mr Grundy, who is an Oldham Athletic fan but was born in Manchester, said: "Both teams put out their best players. It was a night time game in a fully covered air conditioned stadium, which was something I hadn't experienced before.

"I used to go and watch both these teams play back when I was younger, because you didn't need a season ticket in those days.

"I saw Manchester City in the late 60s, which was when they were a European footballing power as well."

During their stay in Texas the couple had time to sample some of the other sights in Houston, including the renowned "Gateway to NASA" Space Centre.

Mr Grundy, 63, a former Worth Valley Primary school head teacher, said: "It was a great trip. Very luxurious and everyone was so hospitable. I can't thank Visit Houston and Singapore Airlines enough."