City news in 250 words: Thursday 18 February

TEXT PRAYERS are the modern way to spread the message according to Church leaders in Greater Manchester. The Bishop of Bolton and the Bishop of Manchester, have launched a website which lets people pray via computer or mobile phone. Log on, type your prayers, then click on an ‘Amen’ icon to post them. All prayers received via www.SayOneForMe.org for the next 40 days will be put on the site and the bishops will remember them in their Easter prayers.

WAS THERE REALLY A UFO FLYING OVER KNUTSFORD? The UFO is being investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority after it narrowly missed hitting an airliner coming in to land at Manchester Airport, back in 1995. The sighting is described in previously top-secret files released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) today.

BODDINGTONS BREWERY SITE IS TO BECOME TRAVELODGE. The former brewery closed in 2006 after production moved elsewhere. It was then used as a venue for the Warehouse Project events before being demolished in 2007. Travelodge have confirmed they are to submit a planning application for a 200-bed hotel on the site. If the plan is approved, it could be open by June 2011.

LIAM GALLAGHER HAS HIT BACK AT PETER KAY over the comedian’s insult to him at the Brit Awards this week. Gallagher has used his Twitter account to reply, tweeting: ‘Regarding Peter Kay's comment...Listen up fat f*** as a real northerner I was brought up 2 say s*** 2 people's faces not behind their back. Live forever LG.’

Daft American homily wisdom: If you’re going to gamble, gamble on someone needing a break.

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