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.

• More from Featured
• Feed

Local News

• Skylight Circus Arts secures £125990 to upgrade Rochdale base and expand community access

  A Rochdale based circus organisation has been awarded £125990 to improve its facilities and widen access to creative activities across the borough and Greater Manchester.

• The Allergies and Alex Spencer added to Rochdale Feel Good Festival line up

  Two more acts have been confirmed for Rochdale Feel Good Festival, with The Allergies and Alex Spencer set to perform on Saturday 8 August. They join previously announced headliners Gabrielle, Ash and Starsailor.

• Rochdale development agency delivers £14.30 return for every £1 invested

  An independent report has found Rochdale Development Agency generates £14.30 for every £1 spent, significantly exceeding national value for money benchmarks.

• Dad of two completes 100km run to support local hospices

  A Greater Manchester father has raised nearly £5,000 after running 100 kilometres in a single day to support hospice care across the region.

• Moorside election in May cancelled following death of Reform UK candidate

  The Moorside ward election in Bury has been cancelled after the death of a candidate standing in the poll. A new date will now be arranged within the legal timeframe.

• Highest paid council bosses in Greater Manchester revealed in ‘town hall rich list’

  More than 170 council staff across Greater Manchester have six-figure salaries, according to a new town-hall ‘rich list’.

• Oldham Coliseum refurbishment delayed as more asbestos discovered during works

  Construction workers are still finding ‘pockets of asbestos’ at Oldham Coliseum as renovation work continues.

• Kirkholt Man ordered to repay covid grant after false cafe claim uncovered in Rochdale

  A Rochdale man has been sentenced after fraudulently claiming a ten thousand pounds covid business grant. He pleaded guilty at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court.

• Car crashes through gym wall in Bury as emergency services flood town centre

  Emergency services are at the scene in Bury after a car crashed through the wall of a JD gym. Roads in the town centre have been closed while crews respond.

• Eviction notice served after Heywood flat linked to anti social behaviour

  An eviction notice has been issued after a flat in Heywood became a hotspot for anti social behaviour within weeks of a tenant moving in.

• Fire service rolls out body worn cameras after Arena Inquiry recommendations

  Firefighters across Greater Manchester are now being equipped with body worn cameras following recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry. The rollout aims to improve decision making, safety and transparency during incidents.

• Kilfest returns to Bolton with three day festival supporting anti hate charity

  The alternative community have been rocking out in Bolton this weekend, all in aid of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

• More from Local News
• Feed
• X

Local Sports

• Late comeback keeps Rochdale in title race after win over Wealdstone

  Rochdale came from behind to beat Wealdstone 2 to 1 and remain two points behind York City at the top of the National League. Late goals from Ian Henderson and Luke Hannant secured the turnaround at the Crown Oil Arena.

• Harvey Gilmour and Kyron Gordon lead Rochdale AFC end of season award winners

  Rochdale AFC presented their end of season awards after Saturday’s 2 to 1 win over Wealdstone at the Crown Oil Arena. Harvey Gilmour, Kyron Gordon, Casey Pettit and Sophie Coates were among the main winners.

• Shakers two points clear at the top after narrow win over Nantwich Town

  Tom Carr picked the perfect time to score his first Bury goal as the Shakers emerged victorious over Nantwich Town 1-0 at Gigg Lane.

• Rochdale AFC Colour Dash brings crowds together for community event

  Hundreds of people took part in the Rochdale AFC Colour Dash, with families and supporters coming together for a day of colour, activity and community spirit. The event took place near the Crown Oil Arena ahead of the club’s fixture against Wealdstone.

• Rochdale Mayfield announces Joseph Parr as main advertising board sponsor

  Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC has confirmed a new partnership with Joseph Parr, which will see one of the club’s stands renamed as part of the agreement.

• Radcliffe football club secures sponsorship boost for youth team

  A youth football team in Radcliffe has received a £1000 sponsorship from a Greater Manchester housebuilder for the current season.

• 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.

• More from Local Sports
• Feed

Lifestyle

• Skylight Circus Arts secures £125990 to upgrade Rochdale base and expand community access

  A Rochdale based circus organisation has been awarded £125990 to improve its facilities and widen access to creative activities across the borough and Greater Manchester.

• Rochdale AFC Colour Dash brings crowds together for community event

  Hundreds of people took part in the Rochdale AFC Colour Dash, with families and supporters coming together for a day of colour, activity and community spirit. The event took place near the Crown Oil Arena ahead of the club’s fixture against Wealdstone.

• Hopwood Hall College students support Rochdale families with Easter food drive

  Students who are part of the Friendship Group at Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale organised a food drive to support residents in need over the Easter period.

• 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.

• More from Lifestyle
• Feed

Greater Manchester

• City centre brought to standstill as major police operation surrounds Britain First far-right protest

  Hundreds of police officers were deployed across Manchester city centre as rival protest groups gathered on Saturday. Three arrests were made during the operation.

• Rochdale development agency delivers £14.30 return for every £1 invested

  An independent report has found Rochdale Development Agency generates £14.30 for every £1 spent, significantly exceeding national value for money benchmarks.

• Dad of two completes 100km run to support local hospices

  A Greater Manchester father has raised nearly £5,000 after running 100 kilometres in a single day to support hospice care across the region.

• Fire service rolls out body worn cameras after Arena Inquiry recommendations

  Firefighters across Greater Manchester are now being equipped with body worn cameras following recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry. The rollout aims to improve decision making, safety and transparency during incidents.

• Kilfest returns to Bolton with three day festival supporting anti hate charity

  The alternative community have been rocking out in Bolton this weekend, all in aid of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

• 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.

• More from Greater Manchester
• Feed

Local Entertainment

• Skylight Circus Arts secures £125990 to upgrade Rochdale base and expand community access

  A Rochdale based circus organisation has been awarded £125990 to improve its facilities and widen access to creative activities across the borough and Greater Manchester.

• The Allergies and Alex Spencer added to Rochdale Feel Good Festival line up

  Two more acts have been confirmed for Rochdale Feel Good Festival, with The Allergies and Alex Spencer set to perform on Saturday 8 August. They join previously announced headliners Gabrielle, Ash and Starsailor.

• Oldham Coliseum refurbishment delayed as more asbestos discovered during works

  Construction workers are still finding ‘pockets of asbestos’ at Oldham Coliseum as renovation work continues.

• Kilfest returns to Bolton with three day festival supporting anti hate charity

  The alternative community have been rocking out in Bolton this weekend, all in aid of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

• 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.

• Cancer choir calls for new members as rehearsals resume in Bolton

  A Bolton choir for people affected by cancer is inviting new singers to join as it begins rehearsals for the new year.

• More from Local Entertainment
• Feed

Elections

• 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. 

• All the candidates standing in the local elections in Rochdale

  Rochdalians will head to the polls on Thursday, May 7 with a total 120 candidates vying for a position on the council.

• 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

• Senior civil servants knew weeks ago that Mandelson had failed security vetting

  At least two senior civil servants knew weeks ago that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting for his US ambassador role, Sky News understands.

• King Charles to be royal patron of new charity in honour of Queen Elizabeth II

  The King will be named as the royal patron of the Queen Elizabeth Trust - a new charity commemorating the late Queen.

• Counter terror police probe attack on Jewish charity's former premises in northwest London

  Counter terrorism police are leading an investigation into an arson attack on a building that used to belong to a Jewish charity.

• What really happened with Peter Mandelson, and how Olly Robbins did PM two favours

  What do I think really happened with Mandelson and vetting?

• No hazardous items found near Israeli embassy after drone attack claim

  Suspicious items, including two jars containing powder, found near the Israeli embassy in London have been assessed as non-hazardous by police.

• England fans facing hugely inflated prices to get to New Jersey's MetLife Stadium for World Cup games

  England fans are facing having to pay train fares of more than £100 to watch one of their World Cup group matches in the USA.

• Boy, 11, dies after bike involved in crash with bus and car in Derby

  An 11-year-old cyclist has died after a crash involving a bus and a car in Derby.

• Canadian 'online poison seller' Kenneth Law to have 'murder charges dropped in plea deal'

  A Canadian chef accused of supplying deadly substances to people around the world who have taken their own lives will have murder charges dropped as part of a plea deal, his lawyer has said.

• More from UK

Entertainment

• Kanye West's FC Basel concert cancelled

  Another Kanye West concert has been cancelled amid a furore over his past antisemitic comments.

• D4vd: Singer held on suspicion of murdering teen girl found dead in his Tesla

  US singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of killing a 14-year-old girl who went missing last year.

• Fans feeling 'neglected and ripped off' over ticket price laws

  The government has been urged to ban the resale of concert tickets above face value after fans reported feeling "neglected and ripped off". 

• Live Nation and Ticketmaster ran a monopoly over big US venues, jury finds

  Concert giant Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster have had a harmful monopoly over big music venues, a jury in the US has found.

• BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest downsize for 15 years

  The BBC will cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of its biggest downsize in 15 years.

• More from Entertainment

Sport

• Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham boss believes relegation-threatened side can win final five games to stay in Premier League

  Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi believes his side can win all five of their remaining games to stay in the Premier League.

• Premiership Rugby: Fin Smith's late try sees Northampton Saints claim thrilling win against Exeter Chiefs, as Bath thump Harlequins

  A last-minute try by England fly-half Fin Smith saw Northampton Saints snatch a thrilling 35-28 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon.

• More from Sport

Strange

• Chinese man jailed after trying to smuggle 2,000 live ants out of Kenya

  A Chinese man has been jailed after trying to smuggle more than 2,000 live ants out of Kenya.

• Woman given 14 shots of tequila on Carnival cruise awarded £220,000 in damages

  A cruise passenger who was overserved alcohol and suffered a possible traumatic brain injury after falling down some stairs has been awarded £220,000 in damages.

• 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.

• More from Strange

Videos

• Cuba is on its knees - and 'next' on Trump's list

  At the start of this year, Donald Trump ordered the capture and removal of Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro - he's now facing a trial in New York.

• Six killed in Kyiv shooting, as interior ministry says gunman also dead

  At least six people have been killed after a gunman opened fire in Kyiv.

• 'Very interesting documents' related to UFOs will be released 'soon', says Trump

  Donald Trump has promised some "very interesting documents" related to UFOs will be released by the US defence department "very, very soon".

• Senior civil servants knew weeks ago that Mandelson had failed security vetting

  At least two senior civil servants knew weeks ago that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting for his US ambassador role, Sky News understands.

• 'God of chaos' asteroid Apophis set to pass close to Earth, says NASA

  A large asteroid named after a god of chaos is on track for a historic close pass of Earth, according to NASA.

• What really happened with Peter Mandelson, and how Olly Robbins did PM two favours

  What do I think really happened with Mandelson and vetting?

• King Charles to be royal patron of new charity in honour of Queen Elizabeth II

  The King will be named as the royal patron of the Queen Elizabeth Trust - a new charity commemorating the late Queen.

• No hazardous items found near Israeli embassy after drone attack claim

  Suspicious items, including two jars containing powder, found near the Israeli embassy in London have been assessed as non-hazardous by police.

• More from Videos

Politics

• Senior civil servants knew weeks ago that Mandelson had failed security vetting

  At least two senior civil servants knew weeks ago that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting for his US ambassador role, Sky News understands.

• What really happened with Peter Mandelson, and how Olly Robbins did PM two favours

  What do I think really happened with Mandelson and vetting?

• Starmer facing almighty clash as critics look to finish him off

  "Absolutely furious", "unforgivable" and "completely unacceptable". Sir Keir Starmer is normally not one to show emotion, but he was near apoplectic on Friday as he insisted he was not told Peter Mandelson's security vetting had failed.

• Labour MP's former aide who downloaded 500 indecent images of children spared jail

  A former aide to a Labour MP has been spared jail after downloading more than 500 indecent images of children.

• Residents living on London's new Chinese embassy site fear they have unknowingly been living 'in China' since 2018

  Residents living on the site of the new Chinese "super embassy" in London fear they have unknowingly been living "in China" since 2018.

• More from Politics

Technology

• Briton admits role in plot to steal $8m in virtual currency

  A British man has pleaded guilty to plotting to hack into the computer systems of 12 companies to steal at least $8m (£5.9m) in virtual currency from US victims.

• 'God of chaos' asteroid Apophis set to pass close to Earth, says NASA

  A large asteroid named after a god of chaos is on track for a historic close pass of Earth, according to NASA.

• Autonomous robo-taxis now driving themselves on British streets

  Autonomous taxis are now driving themselves around London streets, the American company behind the technology has announced.

• Sam Altman: Man charged with attempting to murder OpenAI boss

  A man who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been charged with attempted murder.

• Two thirds of underage Australians still have access to social media despite ban, new research suggests

  More than 60% of underage Australians are still using social media despite the country's world-first ban introduced four months ago, new research suggests. 

• More from Technology

World

• Six killed in Kyiv shooting, as interior ministry says gunman also dead

  At least six people have been killed after a gunman opened fire in Kyiv.

• 'Very interesting documents' related to UFOs will be released 'soon', says Trump

  Donald Trump has promised some "very interesting documents" related to UFOs will be released by the US defence department "very, very soon".

• Canadian 'online poison seller' Kenneth Law to have 'murder charges dropped in plea deal'

  A Canadian chef accused of supplying deadly substances to people around the world who have taken their own lives will have murder charges dropped as part of a plea deal, his lawyer has said.

• Kanye West's FC Basel concert cancelled

  Another Kanye West concert has been cancelled amid a furore over his past antisemitic comments.

• Cuba is on its knees - and 'next' on Trump's list

  At the start of this year, Donald Trump ordered the capture and removal of Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro - he's now facing a trial in New York.

• England fans facing hugely inflated prices to get to New Jersey's MetLife Stadium for World Cup games

  England fans are facing having to pay train fares of more than £100 to watch one of their World Cup group matches in the USA.

• Daniel Kinahan arrested in Dubai over alleged links to 'international organised crime'

  Irish national Daniel Kinahan has been arrested in Dubai over alleged links to an "international organised crime network".

• Medal-winning veteran Ben Roberts-Smith released on bail in Sydney after Afghan war crimes charges

  Australia's most decorated living veteran has been released on bail after being charged with war crimes linked to the Afghanistan war more than ‌a decade ago.

• More from World

Business

• Mark Kleinman blog | Buyout firm plots £600m swoop on London-listed Advanced Medical Solutions Group

• Fans feeling 'neglected and ripped off' over ticket price laws

  The government has been urged to ban the resale of concert tickets above face value after fans reported feeling "neglected and ripped off". 

• Tesco swapping barcodes for QR codes in UK 'first' - here's why

  Tesco is swapping barcodes for QR codes on a range of its own-brand products in a move the supermarket chain is describing as a UK "first". 

• GDP grows by surprising amount but it could be last uptick for a while

  The UK economy grew far more than expected in the month before the war in Iran began, latest official figures show.

• Huge rise in workers tipping off HMRC about bosses underpaying staff

  More people are reporting their employers for underpaying staff, data shared exclusively with Money has shown.

• Live Nation and Ticketmaster ran a monopoly over big US venues, jury finds

  Concert giant Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster have had a harmful monopoly over big music venues, a jury in the US has found.

• The curious link between Helen Mirren's garden and food prices

  What do an Oscar-winning actress and your grocery bill have in common? More than you might think.

• Fears government cash will come too late to save manufacturing jobs

  Manufacturers are demanding immediate help with energy bills after the government revealed an expansion of a key support scheme, but said it would not begin until next April as planned.

• More from Business

Rochdale Council Leaders Column

No stories to show.

• More from Rochdale Council Leaders Column
• Feed

Rochdale Council Mayors Column

No stories to show.

• More from Rochdale Council Mayors Column
• Feed