City news in 250 Words: Friday 8 April 2011

NORTHERN QUARTER to host royal wedding street party: The Northern Quarter will host a 1940s-themed street party set to rival the royal wedding on 29 April. Arts and events manager Carole Keating spearheaded the idea after tweeting “Alright Manchester. A street party in the NQ. Who'd be up for this?” Events taking place on the day will include craft workshops, treasure hunts, buskers, jam-making, tombola as well as traditional party games and food and drink stalls.

CHORLTON MUM makes Masterchef final: Research analyst Jackie Kearney, 41, was sent through to the penultimate round of BBC's Masterchef after impressing the judges with her three-course meal. Jackie impressed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with her range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

BLAZE at historic mill near Strangeways causes road closure: Fifty firefighters tackled a large blaze at a former cotton mill close to Strangeways. The grade II listed building caught fire before 10pm yesterday and suffered severe damage and a collapsed roof. Overbridge Road and Sherbourne Street West have now closed.

MISSING BODY found in city centre canal: A man’s body has been found after police divers searched a canal for a missing body. The search began in the Rochdale canal near Oxford Road and Whitworth Street after a 23-year-old went missing from home. A wallet and mobile phone were found on the tow path by a couple at 10.15am. A police spokesman said: “The body of a man has been recovered from the water. Inquiries are ongoing.”

This week in 1580: Mancunians no longer had to bake at the lord of the manor's oven but the Court Leet, which requested 'all loving neighbours' bake there.

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