A BEACONSFIELD businessman is hoping to cash in after buying Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's favourite numberplate.

Knotty Green resident Russell Baldwin bought the CR7 numberplate this year, but is hoping to treble the five figure-sum he forked out for the registration.

Ronaldo copyrighted the brand CR7 earlier this year, and has put it on merchandise and even opened a boutique in his native Portugal under the name.

The CR refers to his initials, and the 7 is the number he wears for club and country.

Property renovator Mr Baldwin told the Bucks Free Press: “The plate came off a Bentley convertible, but now it is on my £300 Ford Escort.

“It is actually quite a historic plate, it was registered in 1903 in Southampton, and is described as one of the ten most notable plates in Britain.”

The 49-year-old found out the plate was for sale when he went to buy two others from millionaire Scottish businessman Charlie Robinson.

Earlier this year it was widely reported Ronaldo had bought the plate for £150,000.

Mr Baldwin continued: “I was looking at CR8 and CR19, but he told me he also had CR7 and said it was very sought-after.

“When I realised it was Ronaldo's plate I had to buy it as both my children are huge United fans.

“If he doesn't want to buy it, then I will sell it to someone else, CR are still quite common initials.”