Manchester 250: Monday 5 November

A FATHER-TO-BE has been crushed to death under a tree which he was cutting down for a bonfire. Krzysztof Kopacz, 23, was cutting down the tree at an old nursing home in Ramsbottom for a bonfire party on Saturday night. An investigation into the death of Mr Kopacz is underway and his family in Poland has been contacted.

OVER HALF of Manchester families have failed to budget for Christmas according to a new survey. Park Christmas Savings has found that 53% of Mancunians have not budgeted for the typical Christmas bill of £1,012.50. Predictions suggest that this year Christmas debt will reach a record £13b.

A DOCTOR has called for drinking licences to be restricted due to the level of alcohol-related hospital admissions and the impact of the North West’s drinking culture. However, the British Beer and Pub Association said the proposals from Dr Ruth Hussey, director of public health for north-west England, were unrealistic. Dr Hussey's proposals have won the support of the Royal College of Physicians.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has accused referee Howard Webb of favouring Arsenal in the 2-2 draw against United on Saturday at the Emirates. The United boss told MUTV: “I think Howard Webb has a great chance to be the top referee but today was a big game for him and, at times, he favoured Arsenal. Their second goal came from him not giving a free-kick for a foul on Louis Saha on the far side. It should have been a foul for us.”