City news in 250 words: Friday 28 May

STUDENTS IN LOTTERY FRAUD: Two Manchester students have been arrested in connection with an alleged £300,000 lottery fraud. The two men are suspected of sending thousands of emails telling recipients they had won the Canadian Lottery and persuading them to pay a fee to claim their 'winnings'. Hundreds of people had paid a total of up to £20,000 a month. Both students have been released on bail.

A PRISONER WHO CUT PART OF HIS EAR OFF so he could escape from an ambulance, has been found and arrested. The ambulance transporting Michael O'Donnell, 29, was held up by masked men earlier this month and O'Donnell escaped. Police arrested him in the Southport area on Friday.

NHS CUTS BACK ON OPERATIONS: The NHS aims to save millions of pounds by cutting back on certain operations in the region. For example, children will only have their tonsils taken out if they have suffered at least five bouts of tonsillitis over more than a year. For adults, the 'banned list' includes surgery for mild varicose veins, breast enlargement and reduction, hair loss procedures, and laser treatment for tattoos.

HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS has sent the private details of up to 50,000 people out by post, to other people. A woman from Greater Manchester told the BBC that she had received a letter that included her neighbour's earnings. An HMRC spokesman said: "Investigations are under way to identify the cause of the problem and we will be contacting affected customers in writing this week.”

Out of the window weather forecast: Luring us into a false sense of security for the weekend ahead. Don't buy it.