They are lined up in party frocks and newly applied makeup to party with some of Britain's highest-paid footballers.

Sometimes, the players approach the girls directly.

A party organiser for one of the city's nightclubs told The Times Online: 'Word goes down that there is going to be a harvest. It usually means the players are having a party without their wives and girlfriends (WAGS).

'The harvest works in one of two ways. We send word round to friends at the big stores in the Trafford Centre.

'They let it be known among the staff that there is going to be a party and distribute tickets to them.

'Otherwise, players will go into the shops themselves and chat girls up.'

The added attraction to the girls is easy access to clubs they might have trouble getting into, and free champagne.

One female shop worker in the Trafford Centre said: 'The footballers are very bold. They come into stores with their mates when you are busy serving customers and press these invitations on you. They won't take no for an answer.'

Venues in Manchester include the Sugar Lounge, which was frequented by celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz and Kylie Minogue, and the Living Room, which David Beckham calls his favourite restaurant.

Others such as the Red Door, a guest list-only club opened last month by three Hollyoaks actresses accepts bookings only if you guarantee to spend at least 400 pounds ($1,200) on alcohol.

One club doorman said: 'The footballers want wall-to-wall babes chucking themselves at them.'

Ms Louise Cliffe, 22, last year's Miss Manchester, said she had gone to last week's Manchester United party with her agent.

'We all had a great time and danced our socks off, but the party was short-lived for us, we left at 11.30pm,' she said.

Other girls said the party was getting wilder by the minute.

'LIKE PIECES OF MEAT'

One said: 'The players were treating girls like pieces of meat. It was like a horrendous cattle market.'

One of those present claimed that Wayne Rooney was telling girls: 'You can call me Justin Timberlake', while another player was accused of lifting up the skirts of passing girls.

Another claimed she heard a 19-year-old having sex with five or six men who were 'shrieking like hyenas and shouting 'get in there'.'

The Man United player accused of rape - Jonny Evans - has been released on police bail after questioning over the alleged incident of sexual assault.

The 19-year-old Northern Irish international denies any wrongdoing.

More than 80 girls aged 18 to 30 were assembled at a boutique hotel for the party at a cost of about 100,000 pounds.

None of the players' Wags were invited. It was an occasion for the boys to 'chill out'.

Some of the first team squad had booked suites so they could continue partying through the night.

This article was first published in The New Paper on 24 Dec 2007