City news in 250 words

DARTS ACADEMY OPENS AT STOCKPORT COLLEGE, transforming the student common room into a darts arena three times a week. Despite newspaper claims of a ‘darts degree’, the academy offers no formal qualifications, rather, it is where players go to learn the skill and gain confidence under the tuition of former professional player Paul McDonagh. The academy has however, been given the backing of the Professional Darts Corporation.

HOME OFFICE MAY INTERVENE IF GMP DOES NOT IMPROVE on its performance. The force has set out a self-imposed 90-day ‘action plan’, with the aim to put more officers on the streets and cutting their bureaucracy and paperwork, with Deputy Chief Constable Simon Byrne saying, “This will free up more officers to do the job they signed up for.”

A DRUG DEALER WHO SOLD COCAINE AND HEROINE YARDS FROM A PRIMARY SCHOOL has been jailed. Benjamin McGreevy, 26, from Levenshulme, was caught after an undercover police operation. Manchester Crown Court heard that McGreevy used a junction opposite Alma Park Primary School as a 'meeting point'. Admitting charges at an earlier hearing, McGreevy was sentenced to four years for supplying class 'a' drugs.

COUNCIL TAX FRAUDSTERS ARE TARGETING RESIDENTS through a rebate scam. Many homes have received the phone calls from conmen, posing as government or local council officials, saying they are entitled to a tax refund, and asking for their bank details in order to issue the ‘repayment’. Anyone who has had a hoax call should call the council on 0161 909 6502.

Dorothy Parker (1893 - 1967) wisdom week: Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone