City News in 250 Words: Thursday 5 October

CORONATION Street actor Michael Le Vell has been arrested on suspicion of a sexual offence with a young girl. The 46-year-old, who plays Kevin Webster in the soap, was arrested at his home in Hale on 30 September. The actor denies the allegation. His arrest followed a report of a historical offence made to them.

POLICE are investigating a rape of a woman. It happened in Plant Hill Park in Blackley between 4am and 4.30am on 5 October 2011. The woman, 32, was walking through the park when she was dragged into an area of bushes by a stranger and raped. The assailant is described as being 6ft to 6ft 4in tall, of a medium build, unshaven and possibly with a beard and wearing a grey hooded jacket with draw strings and dark-coloured trousers. 

METROLINK has teamed up with Manchester Food and Drink Festival to provide excursions on trams with food and drink thrown in. The price is £25, including travel and all the grub and nosh. On 8 October MediaCityUK is the destination with a main course in The Lowry Restaurant and on 9 October it’s down to Chorlton with a main in Parlour and a dessert in The Horse and Jockey. Book here to get tickets.

A PRESTON man convicted of running a brothel has been ordered to pay almost £750,000 to the police. John Burrows, 53, pleaded guilty to managing Swinton's World Famous Babes Gentlemen's Club in June 2009. He was sentenced to 10 months, suspended for 18 months.

FACT OF THE DAY: This week in 1843 Charles Dickens declared it ‘a great distinction’ to be giving a speech at the Athenaeum, Manchester.

For more life-enriching Manchester facts follow @RevealMcr