City news in 250 words

NORTH WEST’S JOBLESS HOUSEHOLDS: One-in-three children in Manchester and Liverpool have parents who do not work, according to Prince’s Trust research. The charity found the North West to be badly affected compared with the rest of the UK where the figure is about one-in-six.

BATTERED ECCLES CAKES are to be sold at a chip shop in Salford. Linda Whittaker, owner of Whittakers Fish and Grill bar in Eccles, created the deep-fried cake as a one off for a local summer event. It has since proved to be popular and she is now considering making it a permanent fixture on the menu. Speaking about the unusual battered pastry, she said: “It seems wrong, but it just tastes so right.”

WHAT’S YOUR VIEW ON VOTING VENUES? Manchester residents are being asked for their views on where they vote in elections, as part of a review of polling places and districts. Initial proposals for changes to polling arrangements have been published and the council is now keen to hear what people think about their local polling stations - including how convenient they are to get to and how accessible they are. Click here to find out the changes in your area.

MANCHESTER INTERNET DRAMA SERIES, The Endz, is now the subject of developmental talks with UK TV channels, according to the programme’s makers. The series is set on estates in Manchester but has attracted global viewing attention. Director Chris Kenna funded the pilot of the show himself before releasing it through website www.theendzdrama.com

Out of the window weather forecast: Today is the 222^nd day of the year. Expect at least 222 drops of rain.