City news in 250 words

LETTERS WRITTEN BY HAROLD SHIPMAN will be sold at auction. The Hyde doctor, who is thought to have killed 250 of his patients, makes frequent denials of his guilt in the letters he wrote while in Wakefield Prison. Nick Hall, of Frank Marshall and Co auctioneers, believes they offer a “fascinating” glimpse into his psyche and “fragile state of mind”. The collection will be sold on 10 November.

A PUB LANDLADY RECEIVED OVER £20,000 in benefits after claiming she could not walk properly, but was caught pulling pints. Anne-Marie Sherratt, 42, had told social services that she could only walk with the aid of a stick and could not work, but after receiving an anonymous tip-off, fraud investigators found her serving beer at the Bull’s Head in Walkden. Sherratt, who pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud, was given an eight-month jail sentence suspended for two years at Manchester Crown Court.

THE CONTROVERSIAL CITY CENTRE BOLLARDS have struck again, this time stopping two ambulances. Paramedics called to two separate emergencies were unable to get past the retractable bollards on Cross Street. The emergency services have fobs that are supposed to allow them through, and as a backup, they also have keys to unlock the posts. The council has launched an inquiry.

BUS STRIKES WILL GO AHEAD TOMORROW after talks between the Unite union and First Bus Manchester broke down. It is the fourth time drivers have walked out in a dispute over pay. Services across Greater Manchester will be affected.

This ‘N’ That: Truth, like oil, will come to the surface at last

Taken from the free calendar available at This 'n' That, Soap Street, Northern Quarter. Wisdom rating: 7/10