City news in 250 words: Wednesday 2 June

TALK ABOUT FOOTBALL MAD: A pub boss has managed to convince ten members of his staff to change their names to Wayne Rooney. The staff at the Shakespeare Inn in Manchester city centre made the switch by deed poll to show their support for the England squad. When asked whether he had also changed his name to the striker's, boss Chris Hilditch replied: "No, I'm the boss - Fabio Capello."

CITY CENTRE ROADWORKS could cause congestion today as United Utilities work to replace Victorian water mains. The junction of Portland Street, Newton Street and Piccadilly will be closed for about seven weeks as part of the £8m water improvement project, which has under way since 2007.

A MAN IS IN A CRITICAL CONDITION in hospital after a fight in Manchester city centre. Police were called by CCTV operators who had picked up a group of men fighting in Piccadilly Gardens in the early hours of Sunday. The group ran off as police arrived, but one man was found seriously injured on the pavement. He was taken to hospital for treatment. Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 3240.

A PROTEST OUTSIDE THE BBC'S BUILDING IN MANCHESTER over the Israeli attack on a Gaza aid ship, has resulted in a man being charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence. Hundreds of protesters marched through the city centre on Monday to the BBC, in Oxford Road, which had its doors smashed. Protesters were angry about the BBC's coverage of Israel.

Out of the window weather forecast: The Met Office predict sun this afternoon, but they clearly haven't looked out of our magic window.