The Nifty 250: News of the day in so many words

LIVERPOOL'S Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender community are planning a march and a meeting to discuss how to stop homophobic hate crime in the wake of the horrific attack on a gay police office in Stanley Street at the weekend.

James Parkes, 22, was attacked by a group of up to 20 youths at around 10pm on Sunday, following a night out with friends. He is currently in hospital with life threatening head injuries.

Four Kirkdale teenagers, aged 14, 17 and two aged 15, were yesterday arrested on suspicion of assault, but released on bail last night. Two more youths, aged 15, are being questioned by detectives.

FORMER LIVERPOOL FC STAR John Barnes, has had a bankruptcy order against him lifted. Barnes must settle an unpaid tax bill by November 9, when

his case is heard by the High Court in London.

A FALL IN PLANNING APPLICATIONS has led to job cuts at Liverpool City Council. Income from planning and building control applications has fallen by 50% in the last two years, and the council warns that the lack of “major developments” has been a key factor. It is seeking 17 voluntary redundancies from a 112-strong planning workforce.

A PLANE THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING has failed to take off. Built by volunteers at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry, the replica of the fragile triplane, failed to reach the heady heights of the original version – 20ft off the ground – at the test site at RAF Woodvale near Formby. One volunteer said the problems were “not entirely unexpected”.