THE STONE ROSES - STONE ROSES AND HAPPY MONDAYS TO MARK EASTER IN MANCHESTER

Stars of THE STONE ROSES and HAPPY MONDAYS will lead a parade through their native Manchester, England this Easter as part of a BBC celebration of the religious festival.

IAN BROWN and BEZ will take part in the live pop-opera procession, dubbed Manchester Passion, and both will play characters from the bible.

Happy Mondays dancer Bez is tipped to play a disciple.

The pop-opera will be broadcast on Good Friday (14APR06) and feature music from other Manchester acts including OASIS, THE BUZZCOCKS and THE SMITHS.