Two police officers are being investigated by their own force after crashing an arrested man’s high-powered sports car into the front gardens of two local homes.

The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers stopped a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo in the early hours of Friday morning after spotting it being driven in an erratic manner on Hale Road, Hale Barns.

The Evo crashed into two front gardens (PA)

They subsequently arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of drink-driving and then decided to drive the 156mph car away from the scene.

Minutes later the Evo hit a wall and ploughed into two front gardens at the junction of Hale Road and Rydal Drive, ending up on its side.

One of the officers suffered minor injuries in the crash and the other was severely shaken, but no members of the public were hurt.

Alexei Kudrin, Russia’s finance minister, has rather bizarrely urged Russians to drink and smoke more – to help the government’s cash flow.

Alexei Kudrin has urged his fellow Russians to crack open the tinnies and light up (Reuters)

Politicians usually urge citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles, but Mr Kudrin has called for increased consumption of tobacco and alcohol in a bid to lift the state’s revenues.

It’s a position that’s sure to spark debate in the country.

“If you smoke a pack of cigarettes, that means you are giving more to help solve social problems,” commented Kudrin.

“People should understand: Those who drink, those who smoke are doing more to help the state,” Kudrin continued.

Russia, noted for its high consumptions of both cigarettes and alcohol, have among the lowest duties on cigarettes in Europe.

In June, plans to double the excise duty on cigarettes from 250 roubles, roughly £5 per 1,000 cigarettes, to 590 roubles (£12.49) by 2013 were outlined.

The finance ministry’s plans are sure to be met with distain by the Russian population, who are famously fond of their tobacco. Not so long ago a cigarette shortage led to protests in the country.

The comments by the minister seem to contradict recent government moves to control Russia’s excessive nature and improve its abysmal life expectancy rates.

Night-time sales of alcohol are now prohibited and the country has adopted a zero-tolerance ban on drink-driving

A fish nicknamed Shrek has been filmed swimming off the coast of Japan – see video.

Move over Blobfish – here’s ‘Shrek’!

The creature, with its huge chin and lumpy head, makes a good case for being the ugliest fish in the world, a title that’s currently held by the famous Blobfish.

The ‘Shrek’ fish, which scuba divers likened to the famous animated ogre, is actually quite common in Japanese waters.

Shrek: The Ogre star of the hit films

It’s a type of Asian sheepshead wrasse that feeds on shellfish and crustaceans.

This particular specimen is thought to be around 30 years old and has certainly made a splash with animal lovers.

It’s thought that water-dwelling ‘Shrek’ has never been caught on camera before, so take a look at the video below to see him in action.

Sea-ing is believing!