Manchester 250: Thursday 16 August

THE DRINKING AGE will not be changed, after the Government dismissed a Cheshire police chief’s call to raise it to age 21. Chief Constable Peter Fahy made the suggestion for the legal drinking age to be raised in order to counter underage, anti-social drinkers. However, Home Office Minister Meg Hillier said: “If we raise the age to 21, it's not going to stop people. It would demonise or prevent a lot of adults who are drinking quite responsibly.”

A 21-YEAR-OLD MAN has been arrested after he threatened to burn down a Manchester job centre. Police evacuated the Job Centre Plus building in Moss Side to deal with the would-be arsonist who was carrying a petrol can. The man is now in custody.

MANCHESTER AIRPORT could be getting a new £8m air traffic control tower.
A spokeswoman for Manchester Airport said: “We are keen to commission a high-quality, high-profile building that will become a symbol of the airport and look forward to working on this exciting project. We are now waiting for expressions of interest from architects and that part of the process closes on 24 August.”

UNITED drew 1-1 against Portsmouth last night in what has been a disappointing start to the season for many fans. Both sides ended with 10 men with Ronaldo getting sent off due to a fracas with Richard Hughes. Carlos Tevez made his long awaited debut for United and played a significant part in the opening goal by Scholes and almost snatched a late winner.