MANCHESTER City Football Club has held its hands up over a "mix-up" which left soccer fans disappointed.

Blues player Trevor Sinclair was booked to switch on Prestwich's Christmas tree lights on Monday evening - but failed to turn up.

The former Mersey Drive primary school pupil was invited as special guest to the event because of his local links but as 6pm approached there was still no sign of the former England player.

Robbie Williams look-a-like JK, who had wowed the crowds earlier with his performance, stepped into the breach and flicked the switch along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Couns Barry and Sharon Briggs and Ivan Lewis MP.

This is the second time Trevor Sinclair fans have been left disappointed after a public appearance to open Whitefield Park ball zone two years ago was cancelled with less than 24 hours to spare. At the time he was playing for West Ham and the entire team was grounded after a 4-0 drubbing by Newcastle.

The 31-year-old later honoured his promise and returned to his roots for a five-a-side competition at the ball zone.

City said Trevor's "non-appearance" on Monday night was no fault of his own and apologised to fans.

A spokesman for the club said: "This was a genuine mix-up which was the responsibility of the club and not the player, due to our away fixture on the same evening at Middlesborough.

"Trevor is a Prestwich man and was mortified when he became aware of the mistake and we can only apologise."

Organisers of the event, who booked the star two months ago, said they were disappointed but the evening was still a success.

Carran OGrady, area co-ordinator for Prestwich, said: "If he had turned up it would have been nice but the spirit of Christmas was the most important thing and we achieved that with the youngsters visiting Father Christmas. I am sure there will be future opportunities. It didn't spoil the event and I did not hear anyone moaning. If it was a breakdown in communication then we can accept that."

Longfield Suite manager David Curtis added: "It was a shame about Trevor but we had other wonderful things happening."