City news in 250 words

A HOAX HERO has been found guilty of wasting police time after setting up a fake rescue. Former soldier, Tom Bardsley, 24, claimed he pulled a man out of a canal at Potato Wharf, but police became suspicious after finding his clothes dry and no water on the side of the canal bank. Manchester Magistrates' Court was told that Bardsley wanted to play the hero again after receiving praise last year for helping a policemen being beaten up by Glasgow Rangers thugs.

A SIKH TEMPLE has been destroyed in a fire in Cheetham Hill. More than 70 firefighters tackled the blaze throughout the night from 11.30pm on Wednesday. An investigation is under way but the fire is not thought to be suspicious.

ENERGY DRINKS SHOULDN'T BE SOLD TO KIDS according to a Salford University lecturer. Jim Blanchflower is backing calls for a ban on sales of high-energy drinks to children after an 11-year-old boy, who became obsessed with them, was found hanged in his bedroom with a litre bottle of the drink with him. Tyler Johns from Bolton, became hyper, disruptive and was suspended from school after becoming addicted to the drinks.

CITY AREN'T SCARED of United according to manager Mark Hughes. The Blues boss has spoken out ahead of the derby match on Sunday. He said: “Even in Europe, you sense that some of the teams are actually beaten before they get there. You have to go with a belief that you can perform well as a team.”

This 'n' that wisdom*: Insults are the argument for those who are in the wrong

*Taken from the free calendar available at This 'n' That, Soap Street, Northern Quarter. Those curry masters are so very very sagacious. How does this wisdom rate? Confidential rating: 7/10