City news in 250 words

ST GEORGE'S DAY CELEBRATIONS were disrupted yesterday in four city centre pubs after a minority reportedly began making racist chants. Sinclairs Oyster Bar, the Old Wellington Inn in Shambles Square, The Brunswick and the Moon Under the Water all had to be closed earlier than usual because of rowdy behaviour.

TITAN PRISON PLANS are going to be scrapped. The BBC reports today that Justice Secretary Jack Straw will reveal proposals for five 1,500-place jails instead of three 2,500-place Titan prisons. One of the super jails was due to be built in Warrington at a cost of £350m. The justice secretary is due to make a statement on the issue.

SAY GOODBYE TO THE SUNSHINE. Weather forecasters have predicted that April showers are on the way following what is possibly the warmest April in decades. The Met Office expect some rain this weekend and looking ahead to next week, say: 'Tuesday and Wednesday it is expected to be unsettled with periods of rain or showers, perhaps with gales in the Northwest.'

MANCHESTER POETS Carol Ann Duffy and Simon Armitage are joint favourites to be the new Poet Laureate. The successor to Andrew Motion, who has had the title since 1999, will be the official poet of the monarch and chronicler of national events. The 400-year-old role commands a salary of £5,000 and, by tradition, a barrel of sherry. Duffy and Armitage are both lecturers at Manchester Metropolitan University. Bookmakers William Hill say Liverpudlian Roger McGough is second favourite for the role.

This 'n' that wisdom*: You can build a house, but a home must grow

*Taken from the free calendar available at This 'n' That, Soap Street, Northern Quarter. Those curry meisters are so very very sagacious. How does this wisdom rate? Confidential rating: 6/10