City news in 250 words

MANCHESTER’S LIFE EXPECTANCY HAS RISEN, although the difference between here and London’s richest areas has trebled. Baby boys born in Manchester are now expected to live for 73.8 years – 10.5 years less than those in Kensington and Chelsea, compared to the 3.3-year gap in 1990.

PORN EMAILS HAVE LED TO TWO FIREFIGHTERS being sacked after a four month investigation into the 'sharing of unauthorised material'. Mark Sapple and Christopher Moss have been dismissed, and three employees have been demoted. The fire service said the material was not illegal, however they did contact the police. Deputy county fire officer Kieran Nolan said, “Appropriate disciplinary action was taken against those who fail to meet the professional standard that is expected.”

EIGHT CARS WERE SET ALIGHT in the space of 30 minutes on neighbouring streets in Sale. Firefighters were called to Hurst Avenue on Monday after reports that a Renault Megane had been set alight. 15 minutes later, they received calls that another three vehicles were also on fire just yards away. Crews then dealt with another four cars on fire nearby.

A PLANE THAT TOOK THREE YEARS TO MAKE has failed to take-off. Built by volunteers at MOSI as a tribute to the city’s famous aviator, A V Roe, the replica of the fragile triplane failed to reach the heady heights of the original version – 20ft off the ground – at the test site at RAF Woodvale near Formby. One volunteer said the problems were “not entirely unexpected”.

This ‘N’ That wisdom: Prejudice is the child of ignorance.

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