City news in 250 words: Thursday 15 July

COUNCIL TO SAVE FREE SWIM SCHEME: Manchester City Council have promised to preserve the free swim provision for people aged 16 and under and those over 60. The central government announced plans to scrap the scheme, which was introduced by Labour to encourage people to stay active. The council aims to create a similar scheme by taking £350,000 from the £5.5m used to promote policies and events.

BRITAIN'S YOUNGEST DOCTOR: 21-year-old Rachael Faye Hill has become the youngest doctor in Britain after graduating from University of Manchester. Blackpool-born Hill lived in the Canary Islands where teachers allowed her to skip school years. She sat her GCSE's at 13 and her A-levels at 15 but because of British law, she had to wait till she turned 17 to start her medical degree.

MAN DIES IN FIRE CREW BLUNDER: Fire-fighters failed to spot Danny Holt during a search of his smoke-filled home. He was left collapsed behind a sofa for more than 15 minutes while two fire crews tried to put out the fire, which was started by a chip pan. He was finally found by a policeman and taken to Salford Royal Hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

SHOPPING CENTRE GETS SQUATTING TOILETS: Rochdale Exchange has installed two Nile Pans alongside traditional loos in the men's and women's toilets. The toilets, which are common in India and Pakistan and are viewed as more hygienic, were put to meet costumer demand. They are already available to passengers at Manchester Airport.

Out of the window weather forecast: The sun made a brief appearance today. If its sightings become any less frequent, we'll probably have to start paying for them.P.S. I hope the government doesn't read this 'brilliant' idea for a tax.