City news in 250 words: Friday 19 February

AN MP HAS VENTED HIS FURY AT HAVING TO SIT IN STANDARD-CLASS when travelling on trains. Macclesfield MP Sir Nicholas Winterton told a BBC radio show there was a “totally different type of people" in standard-class train carriages, and hit out at the “grotesque injustice” on the handling of the expenses scandal. A Tory spokesman said Sir Nicholas's remarks were "the out-of-touch views of a soon-to-retire backbench MP".

ARMED POLICE SWOOP ON A WANTED MAN IN SELFRIDGES. Stunned shoppers were evacuated from the city centre department store as officers with a machine gun and handguns ordered the man and a friend to lie on the ground. The 39-year-old man was under surveillance and had been followed from Victoria Station. The man was wanted on suspicion of carrying out a vicious assault on The Wirral in Merseyside in which the victim had his face disfigured in a knife attack.

A 28-MILE COMMUTE OVER THE PENNINES BY CAR IS BAD ENOUGH, but spare a thought for John Corker who does it on his bicycle. Apparently “relishing the challenge” of getting up around 5am and making the journey from West Yorkshire to Middleton by bike, the 44-year-old dad now only manages the expedition once a week since starting a family.

SOCIAL WORKERS AND POLICE TO DESCEND ON CITY CENTRE TONIGHT as part of a crackdown on underage drinkers. Social workers from Manchester council will provide on-the-spot assessments and offer support to any vulnerable child approached by police in problem areas like Piccadilly Gardens.

Daft American homily wisdom: When you’re making a decision, decide it with confidence. It is not necessary to explain why.

From Life's Little Instructions Calendar given to our Health and Beauty Editor as a gift.