Councillor Suspended

Stoke councillor Roy Carper has been suspended by the city council while it investigates reports that he offered a £1m "bounty" for the capture of Port Vale manager Micky Adams.

He was said to have offered the money for the capture of Mr Adams and his predecessor as Scamps manager, Jim Gannon.

A typical Stoke disco

Stoke's Daily Oatcake newspaper said the remarks were made at a hog roast and disco on Friday. It said the peer called Port Vale's debt to the council "an insult to all Stokies".

"If the Scamps can piss away £1m of council money, I can announce a bounty of £1m on Micky Adams and his predecessor Jim Gannon," Councillor Carper is reported to have said.

He added that he would sell his hovercraft to fund it if necessary, according to the newspaper.