City news in 250 words: Thursday 15 April

HUNDREDS OF DOMESTIC FLIGHTS have been cancelled following a volcanic eruption in Iceland. The Met Office placed restrictions on air travel as a result of volcanic ash in the atmosphere. Airports in Scotland are closed and more disruption is expected as the ash drifts south. Confidential learned this morning that it may even delay the arrival of party leaders ahead of tonight's first televised live leaders' debate, at Granada Studios.

CORONATION STREET'S Eileen Grimshaw has been banned from driving for 17 months. Sue Cleaver was pulled over near her home in Didsbury last month, when her landrover hit the curb. She was fined £1000 and ordered to pay £85 costs. The ban comes in the same week her on screen son Jason, played by Ryan Thomas, was fined £2020 for leaving the scene of an accident.

MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR Ed Fieldhouse has published a book predicting a “British Obama” within years. Collaborating with professors from Harvard and Guardian journalist Tom Clarke, he says tolerance amongst younger generations has reduced racial prejudice over the last 50 years. “The Age of Obama” is released this week.

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE claim crime rates in Salford have dropped by 15%. They call it a dramatic decrease, with serious violent crime and vehicle crime both down by 18%. Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan said: “Our latest neighbourhood survey shows that 77 percent of people agree police and Salford City Council are dealing with anti-social behaviour and the crime issues that matter to them."

Out of the window weather forecast: Bright and fair with a nip in the air