City news in 250 words

POLICE VEHICLES used to guard security vans transporting money for banks, is costing Greater Manchester taxpayers an estimated £1m a year, according to a report today from the M.E.N. Police say Operation Vanguard protects drivers carrying large amounts of bank cash from attack. However the TaxPayers' Alliance believe taxpayers shouldn't be funding these kind of 'special services' which in the long run only benefit the security companies and the banks.

A 36-HOUR ARMED SIEGE has taken place at a house in Greater Manchester over the weekend. Police were told that a man was holding a hostage at the house in Hindley, Wigan. Police entered the house and fired a Taser at one of the men. Both men were taken to hospital and have since been arrested.

IT'S BACK TO WORK today for many people after the Christmas break and it's believed we can expect up to 3,000 emails waiting in our inbox with 70 per cent expected to be spam. Experts at communications consultancy Expert Messaging has said adopting the four 'D' email strategy will help sift out the important emails. Simply deal with it now, delegate it, delete it or defer it.

LIFE ISN'T WORTH LIVING for one in ten young people in the North West according to a report into depression amongst under 25s by the Prince's Trust. Of those questioned, most prioritised relationships with family and friends as the main source of overall happiness. Meanwhile, Childline has dubbed today National Divorce Day as more couples contact lawyers than at any other time of year, leaving many children scared and bewildered, according to the counselling service.