City news in 250 words: Wednesday 23 February

CHILD POVERTY IN MANCHESTER AMOUNG HIGHEST IN THE UK: Manchester and Tower Hamlets, London, were found to have the highest levels of child poverty in the UK according to Save the Children. The charity has called the latest figures of child poverty in the UK a ‘national scandal.’ It also claimed that public sector job losses and changes to benefits could force more children into poverty.

THREE ARRESTED FOR ROONEY BLACKMAIL PLOT: Two men and a woman have been arrested by police over an alleged plot to blackmail Coleen Rooney. The wife of Manchester United star, Wayne, is thought to have been targeted after losing a camera full of pictures of their baby son, Kai. The camera was accidently left at the MEN Arena after the couple attended a Black Eyed Peas concert last year.

TRAFFORD COUNCIL BRACED FOR BUDGET CUTS: In the wake of government funding cuts, Trafford Council’s budget is to be slashed by £60m over the next four years. The plans are due to be revealed at a meeting of town hall bosses. Labour opposition members say that front line services will be hit by making such vast savings.

100TH BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE FOR COMPUTER GENIUS: Events marking the centenary of the birth of computer genius Alan Turing will be held in Manchester. The year of celebration will include a three-day conference on June 22-25 at Manchester Town Hall. Turing, who made one of his greatest discoveries at Manchester University, became known as the father of computer science.

Out of the window forecast: Another mild day in Manchester with outbreaks of rain during the afternoon. Drizzle expected in the evening however, so not all doom and gloom.