City news in 250 words: Tuesday 31 August

MANCHESTER PRIDE PARADE 20th ANNIVERSARY: Award-winning actor Sir Ian McKellen led thousands of people through the streets of Manchester for the annual Pride parade this weekend. More than 100 groups and floats celebrated the 20th anniversary of the event. US singer, Kelis, was the headline act on Sunday evening, closing the show with a rendition of her dance hit ‘Acapella’.

CHRISTIAN PROTESTORS BANNED AT PRIDE 2011? Around 20 demonstrators waved placards emblazoned with phrases such as ‘Stop sinning. Trust Jesus’ at this year’s Manchester Pride. Town hall bosses believe the protesters overstepped the mark and are considering banning them from the streets at next year’s parade. Pat Karney, the council’s city centre spokesman, said such protests had no place in Manchester.

BALOTELLI UNHURT IN CAR CRASH: Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was involved in a car crash in Hulme this weekend, police have said. The 20-year-old Italian who moved to City from Inter Milan was driving his Audi A8 when it collided with a black BMW in Chester Road, on Saturday. Nobody was injured but both cars were damaged and taken away from the scene.

HOW TO SPOT A BOGUS MARRIAGE: The UK Border Agency is issuing guidance to vicars in Greater Manchester on how to spot bogus marriages. The training follows a spate of fake weddings across the UK. Former Church of England vicar, the Rev Alex Brown, was convicted for officiating at 360 sham weddings to help illegal immigrants stay in the country at his East Sussex parish.

Out of the window weather forecast: The parent star of our planet is keeping a good eye on us today.