FOOTBALL legend George Best flew to France last night as his doctor begged every barman in Britain to refuse to serve him alcohol in a bid to help him beat his addiction.

Professor Roger Williams, who treated Best for a serious liver condition earlier this year, confirmed that the former Manchester United star would be undergoing tests in a few days after hitting the bottle last week.

The liver specialist said Best, 54, fell off the wagon on Thursday following a "stressful incident", reported to have been an argument with his wife Alex, 28.

Prof Williams said: "Everybody knows him, everybody loves him and everybody wants to help him. Serving him drink isn't doing that.

"It doesn't help when people serve him when he gets into that state. Why should people serve him? It's a bit off.

"Staff could do their bit to help the doctors and everyone else."

Best was such a well-known figure and his alcohol addiction was so well documented that there was no excuse for bar staff continuing to sell him alcohol, he added.

As Best left his home in Chelsea, west London, yesterday he told reporters: "I'm feeling fine thank you."

Before he and his wife climbed into a waiting car, carrying a number of suitcases, he said: "I'm looking forward to a break."

Best was reported to have had his first alcoholic drink for 18 weeks in a pub near his home on Thursday and to have continued drinking in a West End wine bar and then a late-night casino.

Later on Friday, he booked into the Forest Mere health farm in Liphook, Hampshire, where staff kept a close eye on him to stop him drinking.

Best will return to the Cromwell Hospital in west London this week for medical tests

"He has been improving steadily and this is obviously a bit of a setback," said Prof Williams.

"But he is well in himself and we don't know that it's done any particular extra harm.

"I'm going to be seeing him again this week to decide how best to go forward."

In March, the footballer was rushed to the Cromwell Hospital with suspected liver failure.

Best was told that he could never drink again, and later made a televised pledge not to touch alcohol.