Manchester 250: 29 June 2007

ARSON ATTACKS on telephone lines in Moston have left parts of the area without phone communication for up to a week. BT has confirmed two separate incidents which saw 10 street-side cabinets torched by vandals, affecting hundreds of addresses connected to the Failsworth exchange. They hope to have restored all lines by Wednesday.

THE FUNERAL of a soldier killed in Afghanistan has taken place in his home town of Droylsden. Guardsman Neil Tony Downes, 20, who had been due to return home to Greater Manchester on the same day, was killed by a landmine while on patrol in Helmand Province on 9 June. Hundreds of people packed out St Mary's Church before he was buried with full military honours.

MANCHESTER International Festival kicked off last night with Hollywood stars Jude Law and Dennis Hopper attending the premiere of Monkey: Journey to the West at the Palace Theatre. The show, featuring music written by Blur front-man Damon Albarn, is based on a Chinese myth about a mythical character called Monkey, with costumes designed by Gorillaz designer, Jamie Hewlett.

CONTROVERSIAL film, A Very British Gangster about Manchester’s notorious Domenyk and Dessie Noonan has won two top awards at the Cognac Film Festival in France. Greater Manchester Police had attempted to ban the TV version of the film as they feared it could glorify gangsters. One of the awards was judged by a panel of international police officers. Film-maker, Donna MacIntyre said: “To get recognition from international police officers is a real achievement.”