News

Featured

• Bury Lecturer urges Oldham MPs to attend debate on sick pay for women with endometriosis

  A lecturer is urging Oldham MPs to attend a parliamentary debate on statutory sick pay for women with endometriosis.

• Winners at Rochdale Culture Awards ceremony

  Artists, organisations and community groups have been recognised at the Rochdale Culture Awards held at Rochdale Town Hall. Seven winners were selected from 19 finalists during the borough’s Greater Manchester Town of Culture programme.

• Lodge Mill fire destroys historic Middleton site as community launches urgent fundraiser

  A major fire has caused extensive damage to Lodge Mill in Middleton, leaving the building largely destroyed and prompting an urgent community fundraising appeal.

• Social prescribing service in Bury supports thousands of patients with community based care

  More than 5,800 patients in Bury have benefitted from social prescribing over the past year, with participants describing the service as life changing and in some cases life saving.

• More from Featured
• Feed

Local News

• Labour councillor defends WhatsApp remarks about Reform and workers rights

  A Labour councillor standing for re election in Smallbridge and Firgrove has responded after a WhatsApp message appeared to suggest Reform policies could benefit his business.

• Bury Lecturer urges Oldham MPs to attend debate on sick pay for women with endometriosis

  A lecturer is urging Oldham MPs to attend a parliamentary debate on statutory sick pay for women with endometriosis.

• Garden centre event brings together women in horticulture across Greater Manchester

  More than 40 people attended a community event at a garden centre in Failsworth celebrating women working in and entering the horticulture sector.

• All candidates for Bury local election 2026

  In less than a month, Bury locals will be called to polling stations to vote in new council representatives for their local areas. Exactly 17 of the 51 seats in the borough’s wards are up for grabs in the poll on May 7. 

• Three arrested after police find suspected theft equipment in early morning stop in Royton

  Three men have been arrested on suspicion of going equipped after officers stopped a vehicle and recovered suspected theft equipment in Royton.

• Six jailed for major drug import plot after claiming money was for goats

  Six people have been sentenced to more than 60 years in prison following a Greater Manchester Police investigation into a drug importation conspiracy worth over £1 million.

• Four men arrested after violent disorder involving vehicles in Heywood

  Four men in their 20s have been arrested after a violent disorder involving two vehicles in Heywood. Police also arrested two of the men on suspicion of drugs offences.

• Community run theatre will get makeover

  A theatre in Rochdale will get a revamp to mark its centenary. The Curtain Theatre will get a new design for the building’s façade, inspired by its signature red colour.

• Snooker club must tighten rules after assault

  Bosses at a Bury snooker club were hauled before councillors after a customer was knocked unconscious after hours.

• Projects around Rochdale Town Hall approved

  Two more restoration projects sandwiching the iconic Rochdale Town Hall have been approved.

• New apartment plan refused because rooms are too small

  The plan to create a new ‘high-quality’ apartment block in Rochdale has been refused because the flats are too small. Cope Funeral Service has been a mainstay on Manchester Road for years, but a scheme to demolish it and build 28 apartments was tabled last year.

• Winners at Rochdale Culture Awards ceremony

  Artists, organisations and community groups have been recognised at the Rochdale Culture Awards held at Rochdale Town Hall. Seven winners were selected from 19 finalists during the borough’s Greater Manchester Town of Culture programme.

• More from Local News
• Feed
• X

Local Sports

• Bury stage rapid comeback with four goals in eleven minutes to beat Congleton

  Anthony Johnson had his substitutes to thank as Bury turned a one goal deficit into a 4-1 lead in just eleven minutes. Luca Navarro and Lewis Rawsthorn both came off the bench to claim a brace each as Bury started their Easter weekend with a win.

• Rochdale beaten at home as Morecambe claim 4 2 win

  Rochdale suffered their first home defeat since October despite taking an early lead and mounting a late response against Morecambe.

• Bury extend lead at top with dominant win over Runcorn Linnets

  Through high winds, hail and rain a maelstrom of Bury attacks saw the Shakers overwhelm hosts Runcorn Linnets. Three first half goals from Jordan Lazenbury, Mo Touray and Bebeto Gomes gave Bury a win that strengthens their position at the top of the table.

• FC St Helens 1-2 Ramsbottom United

  Rams had to dig deep but first half strikes from Jacob Holland-Wilkinson and Richie Baker, the latter direct from a corner kick, proved just enough for all three points.

• AFC Liverpool 0-2 Ramsbottom United

  Ramsbottom United had the opportunity to show what they're made of as they travelled to the Atlantic Coast and the hinterland of the docks to play the ‘non-league Reds,’ AFC Liverpool, at Bootle on Tuesday evening.

• Ramsbottom United 1-1 Litherland REMYCA

  Ramsbottom faced table propping Litherland at home under the lights on Tuesday evening, a glorious spring-like day led to a green pitch prepared by hard working volunteers. Litherland, clad in red, are enduring a torrid time this season, going through three managers but notched an impressive four-one victory at the weekend.

• Ramsbottom United 1-0 Padiham

  Maine Walder’s free-kick on the half hour proved the difference in this hard-fought encounter with fellow promotion rivals Padiham at the HWRS on Saturday afternoon. A first home league win over our near rivals since all the way back in 2009.

• Ramsbottom United 0-1 Euxton Villa

  The Rams lose their first home league game of the season and waste an opportunity to gain ground on leaders Wythenshawe.

• More from Local Sports
• Feed

Lifestyle

• Bury Lecturer urges Oldham MPs to attend debate on sick pay for women with endometriosis

  A lecturer is urging Oldham MPs to attend a parliamentary debate on statutory sick pay for women with endometriosis.

• Garden centre event brings together women in horticulture across Greater Manchester

  More than 40 people attended a community event at a garden centre in Failsworth celebrating women working in and entering the horticulture sector.

• Active Bolton takes over borough leisure centres under new council arrangement

  A new operator is now running leisure services across Bolton after a transfer agreed by the council. The change covers centres, parks and community sessions across the borough.

• Organists at large … in Middleton

  In a week when there was much media attention to pipe organs becoming an endangered species, organists were at large in the borough - Middleton to be precise.

• Lodge Mill fire destroys historic Middleton site as community launches urgent fundraiser

  A major fire has caused extensive damage to Lodge Mill in Middleton, leaving the building largely destroyed and prompting an urgent community fundraising appeal.

• More from Lifestyle
• Feed

Greater Manchester

• Garden centre event brings together women in horticulture across Greater Manchester

  More than 40 people attended a community event at a garden centre in Failsworth celebrating women working in and entering the horticulture sector.

• Three arrested after police find suspected theft equipment in early morning stop in Royton

  Three men have been arrested on suspicion of going equipped after officers stopped a vehicle and recovered suspected theft equipment in Royton.

• Six jailed for major drug import plot after claiming money was for goats

  Six people have been sentenced to more than 60 years in prison following a Greater Manchester Police investigation into a drug importation conspiracy worth over £1 million.

• Man dies after collision on M61 near Bolton as police appeal for witnesses

  A 24 year old man has died after being struck by a vehicle on the M61 in the early hours of Friday. Police are appealing for information following the incident.

• Suspected human trafficking uncovered after house collapse

  A building collapse in Oldham has sparked fears over potential human trafficking after it displaced more than 40 people living in flats neighbouring the property, we understand.

• Active Bolton takes over borough leisure centres under new council arrangement

  A new operator is now running leisure services across Bolton after a transfer agreed by the council. The change covers centres, parks and community sessions across the borough.

• Collapsed house update

  A council surveyor said that a building in Oldham town centre was in ‘no immediate danger’ – just three weeks before it dramatically collapsed.

• Greater Manchester Housing First worker joins European training programme

  A housing worker from Greater Manchester has joined a European training programme aimed at expanding expertise in tackling homelessness.

• More from Greater Manchester
• Feed

Local Entertainment

• Community run theatre will get makeover

  A theatre in Rochdale will get a revamp to mark its centenary. The Curtain Theatre will get a new design for the building’s façade, inspired by its signature red colour.

• Snooker club must tighten rules after assault

  Bosses at a Bury snooker club were hauled before councillors after a customer was knocked unconscious after hours.

• Organists at large … in Middleton

  In a week when there was much media attention to pipe organs becoming an endangered species, organists were at large in the borough - Middleton to be precise.

• A foray into the glorious Savoy operas of Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan

  The 1,177th lunchtime recital since taking over from the council in 2001 featured Rochdale’s own Phoenix Opera Company.

• Creativity is a right, not a privilege

  Creativity is a right, not a privilege is a statement proudly proclaimed by Tracing Steps, a dance studio in Rochdale, championing the underrepresented.

• Madama Butterfly at Manchester Opera House led by standout performance

  A touring production of Madama Butterfly at Manchester Opera House delivered a visually rich and emotionally driven interpretation of Puccini’s classic opera.

• Tony Walsh joins Rochdale poets to launch community anthology

  A new poetry anthology featuring work from more than 80 local writers has been launched in Rochdale, marking the borough’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

• Ellen Kent’s Carmen brings traditional opera experience to Manchester stage

  A production of Carmen directed by Ellen Kent has been staged at Manchester Opera House, offering audiences a traditional interpretation of Bizet’s well known opera.

• More from Local Entertainment
• Feed

Elections

• Reform UK wins Tottington by-election

  Reform UK has secured victory in the Tottington by-election, gaining a seat on Bury Council. 

• LIVE from Tottington as by election result expected overnight

  Polling stations in the Tottington by election closed at 10pm, with counting getting under-way and a result expected we believe at about 1.30am.

• Tottington by-election Results

  Voters across Tottington, Walshaw and Affetside went to the polls today, Thursday 2nd April, to elect a new representative to Bury Council following the resignation of former councillor Luis McBriar.

• More from Elections
• Feed

UK

• Multimillion-pound push to transform 'broken' UK military is a 'fiasco'

  A multimillion-pound push by the defence secretary to transform how the UK rearms and fights is a "fiasco", with too much focus on changing structures instead of preparing for war, according to interviews and conversations with a dozen defence sources.

• Three Russian submarines targeted UK cables, defence secretary says

  Three Russian submarines were detected by the UK in the North Atlantic loitering over critical undersea cables, the defence secretary said.

• Farage 'leading culture war' with Kanye comments, Harriet Harman says

  Former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman has accused Nigel Farage of "leading a culture war" after his response to the government's decision to bar Kanye West from the UK.

• Lee Milne: Domestic abuser jailed after wife jumped to her death from Dundee bridge

  A violent domestic abuser who was convicted of killing his wife in a landmark case after she jumped to her death from a bridge to escape him has been jailed for eight years.

• More specialist police patrols for vulnerable communities after high-profile attacks

  Extra specialist police officers will be deployed to protect vulnerable communities across the UK in the wake of recent high-profile attacks on Muslim and Jewish communities.

• Man arrested after four people died trying to cross English Channel

  A man has been arrested after two men and two women died attempting to cross the English Channel.

• Car wash owners jailed for helping smuggle more than 400 people into Europe

  Two men who ran a car wash in South Wales have been jailed for 19 years each for their part in a people smuggling ring.

• Mark Kleinman blog | Domino's Pizza faces deep panning from investors over executive pay plans

• More from UK

Entertainment

• California Schemin': The true story of the Scottish rappers who fooled the industry

  The tale of Silibil'n'Brains is the true story of a great lie.

• Dolce & Gabbana co-founder Stefano Gabbana quits as chairman

  Stefano Gabbana, the co-founder of Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, stepped down as the brand's chairman.

• Afrika Bambaataa: New York rapper and hip-hop pioneer dies, aged 68

  Rapper Afrika Bambaataa, seen as one of the pioneers of hip-hop, has died from prostate cancer aged 68, his management company has said.

• Sean 'Diddy' Combs case back in court - as lawyers appeal conviction

  Lawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs have returned to the courtroom to argue his sentence was too harsh, and have called for his conviction to be overturned.

• 'Ketamine Queen' Jasveen Sangha jailed for 15 years over death of Matthew Perry

  A woman known as the "Ketamine Queen", who supplied the fatal dose of the drug that killed actor Matthew Perry, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail.

• More from Entertainment

Sport

• Arne Slot: Liverpool boss insists he feels 'complete support' from the club and fanbase despite pressure mounting

  Arne Slot insists he feels "complete support" from both the club and fanbase despite pressure mounting on the Liverpool head coach.

• Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea midfielder and his agent apologise to club for comments he made over his future and Real Madrid

  Enzo Fernandez and his agent have apologised to Chelsea for comments he made while on international duty in Argentina. 

• Mikel Arteta contract: Arsenal manager says there is no time to discuss extending deal amid Premier League title race

  Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says there is no time right now to discuss extending his contract.

• Grand National tips: Kevin Blake's 1-2-3-4 prediction for Aintree feature plus two handicap best bets

  Grand National day is here! Kevin Blake predicts his top four finishers for the famous Aintree race, plus two best bets elsewhere on the card.

• Aintree: Grey Dawning sees off Solness in thrilling Melling Chase

  Grey Dawning perfectly executed a drop back in trip to get the better of a fascinating duel with long-time leader Solness in the JCB Melling Chase at Aintree.

• More from Sport

Strange

• Jonathan, the giant tortoise, the world's oldest living land animal 'is alive' after getting caught up in alleged crypto scam

  A giant Seychelles tortoise, believed to be the world’s oldest living land animal, is alive and well after claims he had died turned out to be part of an alleged crypto scam.

• Barbie event issues refunds after comparison with infamous Glasgow convention

  The organiser of a Barbie event in Florida is issuing refunds after photos from attendees drew mockery on social media – and a very unflattering comparison.

• Masked fan unplugs VAR monitor during German football match

  A masked fan unplugged a VAR monitor during ‌a German second division football match.

• Elon Gust and Dame Judi Drench among storm names sent to Met Office

  Elon Gust and Dame Judi Drench are among the names that have been submitted to the Met Office for UK storms.

• Police officer sacked and banned from profession for using WFH trick

  A police sergeant has been sacked for using a picture frame to weigh down her laptop keys and give the false impression she was working from home.

• More from Strange

Videos

• Jeremy Hunt: Let mums with cancer delay maternity leave

  Sir Jeremy Hunt has called on ministers to change the law around maternity leave so that it can be delayed for those recently diagnosed with cancer.

• Lee Milne: Domestic abuser jailed after wife jumped to her death from Dundee bridge

  A violent domestic abuser who was convicted of killing his wife in a landmark case after she jumped to her death from a bridge to escape him has been jailed for eight years.

• Russia and Ukraine to hold 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

  Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have said their countries will hold a 32-hour ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter weekend.

• Farage 'leading culture war' with Kanye comments, Harriet Harman says

  Former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman has accused Nigel Farage of "leading a culture war" after his response to the government's decision to bar Kanye West from the UK.

• Man jailed after grooming 14-year-old girl on Roblox gaming app

  A man has been sentenced to 28 months in prison after grooming a 14-year-old girl on the gaming platform Roblox. 

• Trump hits out at NATO after meeting alliance chief

  Donald Trump has repeated his criticism of NATO after holding talks with the alliance's secretary general in Washington.

• 'Ketamine Queen' Jasveen Sangha jailed for 15 years over death of Matthew Perry

  A woman known as the "Ketamine Queen", who supplied the fatal dose of the drug that killed actor Matthew Perry, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail.

• Oil prices fall sharply after Trump announces two-week Iran war ceasefire

  Oil prices have fallen sharply and stock markets have soared on news of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.

• More from Videos

Politics

• Sir Keir Starmer: 'I'm fed up' with actions of Trump and Putin causing energy bills to skyrocket

  Sir Keir Starmer has said he is "fed up" with the actions of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin affecting energy prices in the UK, in his strongest comments about the US president yet.

• Farage 'leading culture war' with Kanye comments, Harriet Harman says

  Former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman has accused Nigel Farage of "leading a culture war" after his response to the government's decision to bar Kanye West from the UK.

• Multimillion-pound push to transform 'broken' UK military is a 'fiasco'

  A multimillion-pound push by the defence secretary to transform how the UK rearms and fights is a "fiasco", with too much focus on changing structures instead of preparing for war, according to interviews and conversations with a dozen defence sources.

• Three Russian submarines targeted UK cables, defence secretary says

  Three Russian submarines were detected by the UK in the North Atlantic loitering over critical undersea cables, the defence secretary said.

• Jeremy Hunt: Let mums with cancer delay maternity leave

  Sir Jeremy Hunt has called on ministers to change the law around maternity leave so that it can be delayed for those recently diagnosed with cancer.

• More from Politics

Technology

• What 10 days of space travel could mean for Artemis astronauts' health

  The Artemis II crew are closing in on Earth after a record-breaking mission to the far side of the moon, where they travelled further from their home planet than anyone in history.

• Feed the birds... just not in summer

  Bird lovers need to take care of how and when they feed them to avoid spreading a deadly disease, the RSPB has said.

• Man jailed after grooming 14-year-old girl on Roblox gaming app

  A man has been sentenced to 28 months in prison after grooming a 14-year-old girl on the gaming platform Roblox. 

• The photo that left people so aghast they thought it was AI

  The RSPCA has been forced to deny a photo of dozens of dogs crammed into a living room was AI-generated.

• New treatment offers 'hope' for children with rare and aggressive cancers

  A new cancer trial, which aims to train the immune systems of children and young people to fight the disease, offers a "real sense of hope", according to the chief executive of a company funding it.

• More from Technology

World

• Russia and Ukraine to hold 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

  Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have said their countries will hold a 32-hour ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter weekend.

• Dolce & Gabbana co-founder Stefano Gabbana quits as chairman

  Stefano Gabbana, the co-founder of Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, stepped down as the brand's chairman.

• Ireland's fuel protest crisis escalates, triggering fears of panic buying

  Passengers travelling to or from Dublin Airport are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys as protests over high fuel prices in Ireland continue into a fourth day.

• Trump hits out at NATO after meeting alliance chief

  Donald Trump has repeated his criticism of NATO after holding talks with the alliance's secretary general in Washington.

• Cuba's president has a message for the US after Donald Trump said the island was 'next' for a takeover

  Cuba's president has said he won't step down as he pushed back against mounting US pressure for change on the island.

• Diesel and jet fuel shortages for some time, IMF warns

  The world will experience diesel and jet fuel shortages "for some time" because of the war in Iran, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

• Inside the secretive country run by a military leader with a cult following

  Few heads of state command a cult following like the young world leader and military ruler of Burkina Faso, President Ibrahim Traoré.

• British man in court for leading fighters in Somalia-based Islamist terror group

  A British man has appeared in court accused of fighting as a platoon leader for Somalia-based Islamist terrorist group Al Shabaab.

• More from World

Business

• Mark Kleinman blog | Domino's Pizza faces deep panning from investors over executive pay plans

• Diesel and jet fuel shortages for some time, IMF warns

  The world will experience diesel and jet fuel shortages "for some time" because of the war in Iran, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

• Brits facing extra EU border checks, as 'technical difficulties' hamper new system

  British travellers heading on their spring and summer holidays face changes at borders after the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES).

• Dolce & Gabbana co-founder Stefano Gabbana quits as chairman

  Stefano Gabbana, the co-founder of Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, stepped down as the brand's chairman.

• Oil prices fall sharply after Trump announces two-week Iran war ceasefire

  Oil prices have fallen sharply and stock markets have soared on news of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.

• Iran war: How the crisis in key Strait of Hormuz waterway is affecting fuel supplies for different countries

  Fears of fuel shortages have been sparked recently as the number of tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz was reduced to a trickle amid threats from Iran, which experts say effectively controls the waterway.

• Interest rate to be capped on some student loans

  Interest rates on plan 2 and 3 student loans will be capped at 6% for one year from September, the government has announced. 

• Are you due £40 compensation from your bank? | Money newsletter

  More than 180,000 people have now signed up to our free Money newsletter, which brings the kind of content you enjoy in the award-winning Money blog directly to your inbox every week.

• More from Business

Rochdale Council Leaders Column

No stories to show.

• More from Rochdale Council Leaders Column
• Feed

Rochdale Council Mayors Column

• Mayor reflects on cultural events and community engagement across Rochdale

  My mayoral year is entering its final two months and, as always, the last few weeks have been extremely busy. A key theme of recent events has centred around culture, including musical performances, religious festivals, poetry evenings and sporting occasions.  

• More from Rochdale Council Mayors Column
• Feed