City news in 250 words: Wednesday 23 June

RAPPERS DELIGHT? Far from it. A nuisance caller is tying up police emergency lines by rapping to operators at Greater Manchester Police. Despite officers blocking more than 60 sim cards, the man has plagued them for over year, making 700 calls in the past three months alone. Operators have had to listen to the rapping rants about citizen’s rights, as they are unable to hang up. Officers have established that the calls are made from Moss Side and Trafford. Listen in the player below.

MORE 999 MADNESS: A woman made an emergency call to Greater Manchester Police to say her cat was "doing her head in" because it had been playing with string for two hours. This case further highlights how our emergency services are often abused. Between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, GMP said it received 1,377 999 calls, but only a fraction were genuine emergencies.

IS YOUR CHILD A COMEDY GENIUS? Comedienne and actress Victoria Wood is to hold open auditions in Manchester to find two boys to star alongside her in a film about Morecambe and Wise. The drama will portray the early years of the TV double act. Auditions will be held at a Manchester venue, to be announced later, on 8 July.

AIRPORT TAKES PRIDE: Manchester Airport is taking part Manchester’s annual gay parade this summer for the first time ever. Senior managers and members of staff will make their way through the city centre on a float for the Pride celebrations on August 28.

Out of the window weather forecast:Sunny one minute, cloudy the next. Like today’s England match, it could go either way.