City news in 250 words

THE COLUMBINE-STYLE MASSACRE plot has been branded a “waste of money”. A jury took 45 minutes to acquit Ross McKnight, 16, and Matthew Swift, 18, of planning to murder teachers and pupils at Audenshaw High School. The pair, both from Denton, maintained throughout the trial at Manchester Crown Court that the plot was always just a “fantasy”. Ray McKnight, who is a serving GMP officer, said he never doubted his son’s innocence.

MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL HAS FAILED to ban next month’s right-wing demonstration. The English Defence League will protest against Islamic-extremism, but previous events have seen Nazi salutes and violent clashes with opposition demonstrators. The council pleaded with the Home Secretary to intervene, but they said it had no power to ban "static demonstrations".

MURDERS ARE BEING INVESTIGATED BY CIVILIANS claiming to have a 100% record. The 23-strong - mainly ex-police officers - department, based at Chadderton police station, is responsible for handling up to half of the murder cases in the region, despite not having the powers to arrest. Andy Tattersall, the former detective leading the team said, "Our department is one of the first of its kind in the country”.

ANTI-SLEAZE CAMPAIGNER MARTIN BELL will not stand against Hazel Blears in the next General Election. Mr Bell met with the Hazel Must Go campaign team last night and said, “I have no intention whatsoever to stand as MP for Salford”. Instead, the former journalist made clear he would prefer a “local hero” to take on the expenses-marred MP.

This ‘N’ That wisdom: Happiness is an intermediate station between too little and too much

Taken from the free calendar available at This 'n' That, Soap Street, Northern Quarter. Wisdom rating: 9/10