MANCHESTER council has stepped up its row with the government by unfurling a banner on the town hall.

The sky-blue banner, with the message Get Our Metrolink Back on Track, mirrors the M.E.N.'s campaign to restore funding for the vital stage three light-rail extension lines to south Manchester, east Manchester and Oldham and Rochdale.

City councillors have already shown their fury by walking out of a meeting to protest on the tram platform in St Peter's Square.

Council leader Richard Leese called for Mr Darling to resign or be sacked.