City news in 250 words

BUSINESS MAN Faisal Madani, from Bramhall, is in court this week for allegedly selling counterfeit signed football merchandise to a sports memorabilia business in Chester. The 43-year-old was said to be the middle man in the fake autograph scam in which the signatures of Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as many others, were forged and sold.

JACK STRAW has admitted he was an underage drinker. The justice secretary spoke to teenagers at the Old Moat Youth Outreach Project in Withington about cracking down on teenage binge drinking this week. Mr Straw commented that in today’s free society it is easier for teenagers to purchase alcohol but that the government is continuing to strive to tackle the problem.

STOCKPORT has the third highest emigration rate in the country according to new statistics. In the past five years, 8,500 residents have left the county for a new life abroad because of the cost of property, aswell as tax and crime. The countries of choice are France, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and the US.

THE COUNTDOWN to this weekend’s derby has begun with both teams fancing their chances. City midfielder Stephen Ireland told mcfc.co.uk: “We will not go to Old Trafford fearing them, even though they are in top form.” Speaking for the Reds, midfielder Owen Hargreaves told manutd.com: “We will definitely remember that they beat us in the last one. I still don't know how we didn't win. We will remember that and go into the game with confidence.”