City news in 250 words

COUNCIL URGES US TO SHOW NEIGHBOURLY LOVE as the freezing weather continues. Town hall bosses said it had increased its services for vulnerable people but urged neighbours to play their part. Council leader Sir Richard Leese said, “If you have an elderly relative or neighbour, can you please just pop in and ask how they're doing, make sure they're warm enough and that they have enough food”.

A BATTLE HAS ENSUED BETWEEN THE SMITHS AND GIRLS ALOUD fans on Facebook to get them to number one in the second week of February. Girls Aloud fans want the pop group’s Untouchable single to top the charts; whereas a Smiths tribute band, The Smiths Indeed, have started a rival campaign to give the Manchester legends a UK number one with How Soon Is Now. Ex-Smiths drummer, Mark Joyce, backs the campaign, but the Girls Aloud group has twice as many fans.

MANCHESTER ARNDALE’S CEILING COLLAPSES, hurting a shop worker and a customer, with the weather being cited as a possible cause. The incident took place on Saturday at the BT display and sales desk in the new Exchange Court section of the mall. Several shops had to close, and engineers were called to carry put a full inspection.

HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS WILL REOPEN in all boroughs after being closed due to the cold snap. The council has encouraged schools to open their doors to pupils and parents and teachers have spent the weekend clearing snow from approach roads and car parks.

The Rev Sydney Smith (1771-1845) wisdom week Never try to reason the prejudice out of a man. It was not reasoned into him, and cannot be reasoned out.