City news in 250 words

BNP ‘MAY APPEAR ON QUESTION TIME, the BBC says. The party’s leader and North West MEP, Nick Griffin, may be invited on to a future episode of the show after the broadcaster said it was bound by the rules to treat all political parties with "due impartiality". Talks are being held with other parties as some have refused to join a discussion with what they deem a “racist” party, but the BBC said “no parties can dictate who should or shouldn't be included."

A TERROR SUSPECT FROM MANCHESTER has been released as ministers did not want to reveal security intelligence in an open court. The law lords ruled the suspect, known as AF, was entitled to know about the allegations against him, forcing Home Secretary Alan Johnson to release him. It was thought AF had had links to an extremist Libyan organisation.

TOURIST NUMBERS TO SALFORD increased last year by over 500,000 compared to 2008. Sites including The Lowry, Ordsall Hall and Salford Lads Club helped pull in 7.2 million visitors. Council chiefs said sites like MediaCity will only improve the city’s profile further, but credited “the hidden tourism gems that have been big players in helping to attract people to the city”.

THE METROLINK ALTRINCHAM LINE is now fully up-and-running following a blighted reopening. Services to two stops – Altrincham Interchange and Navigation Road – had been suspended following a fault on Wednesday, but trams are now running the full length of the line to St Peter’s Square every 12 minutes.

This 'N' That: a helping hand is worth more than a thousand words of advice

Taken from the free calendar available at This 'n' That, Soap Street, Northern Quarter. Wisdom rating: 5/10