City news in 250 words: Thursday 25 February

WORKERS WILL BE £815-A-YEAR RICHER if Manchester and Liverpool are connected to major UK cities through a high-speed rail network, a study has revealed. Management consultants KPMG also concluded that 62,000 jobs would be created across the North West by 2040, with the 250mph network doing more than any other project to narrow the North-South divide.

A SCHOOLBOY WAS ARRESTED after his friend broke an arm while picking acorns at lunchtime. The incident happened last October at Kingsway High School in Cheadle. Headteacher Mike Gledhill said, “There was some general horseplay as the boys picked acorns. One of the boys unfortunately fell awkwardly and broke his arm, although he didn't realise this immediately.” A complaint from the injured boy’s family led to 11-year-old Dylan Keetley being arrested by appointment on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

TWO BREWERY WORKERS WERE taken to hospital after acid leaked from a brewery in Moss Side. Firefighters cordoned off part of Princess Parkway after 2,000 litres of hydrochloric acid spilled in the Heineken site. The two men were not injured but were checked as a "precautionary measure" for any gas inhalation caused by the acid spillage.

A MANCHESTER DAY PARADE to celebrate the city will take place this summer. With thousands expected to attend in colourful costumes and inflatables, the parade will be the centrepiece of Manchester Day on 20 June. The event will be co-ordinated by Walk the Plank, the arts company behind the lantern procession which closed Manchester's 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Daft American homily: Never get in an altercation with a man who picks his teeth with a pocketknife.

From Life's Little Instructions Calendar given to our Health and Beauty Editor as a gift. This is apparently written without irony.