City News In 250 News: Wednesday 14 December

MANCHESTER and Salford will receive nearly £1 million from the Government for a project to tackle gang and youth violence. 22 areas in the UK will share £7.3 million for the project following The Ending Gang and Youth Violence Report published last month, aiming to help the communities understand the specific problems and develop effective solutions for youth crimes.

ROCHDALE Church of England vicar faces jail time for sham marriages and theft. Vicar John Magumba has admitted to perform 31 wedding ceremonies, giving illegal immigrants the right to stay in the UK and also to the theft of £8303 from his church councils by not declaring income from church duties. His sentencing is scheduled next month.

STOCKPORT widow has been confined to her flat for three months after the house lift broke down. The building owners Northern Estates refuse to pay the lift repair costs of £15,000, claiming they have no legal obligations to provide a working lift. Florence Bailey, 84, hasn´t left her flat since September 21 and will be homebound over the holidays as her medical condition stops her from using the stairs. She now relies on her neighbours’ kindness for her shopping.

MANCHESTER United's midfielder Darren Fletcher takes an extended break from football for health reasons, suffering from a chronic inflammatory bowel condition. United's centre-back Nemanja Vidic will also miss the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured ligament in United´s game against Basel, a game when the team lost its place in the Champions League.