How do you remove the cup holder tray in a '96 ?

[fordnmerc]

I want to remove the whole center cup holder tray so that I can give it a thorough cleaning. The people I got the car from made a real mess of it. The cigarette lighter is full of corn syrup from soda pop and crumbs and peanut pieces.

I am removing the lighter entirely because we don't smoke and there is the additional power point near the passenger foot well anyway.

Is there some sort of release catch that allows the whole thing to come out? I didn't take a lot of time with it today because the weather is blazing hot. Thought I'd ask here in case someone had one out before. Thanks.

[mcninetyone]

Pull the ashtray out as far as it will go.
Then (you may need a small flashlight)
Look along the left and right top/inside edges of the tray.
There you will see tabs on either side, push these tabs down (with a screwdriver) and the ashtray will release.
It's easy if you slide one side out just enough so that it won't catch again while you do the other side.

[fordnmerc]

Thanks a lot.