Local News

Pupils at St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Heywood have celebrated the opening of a new library after staff, families and supporters helped raise thousands of pounds to create the space.

Thousands of music fans gathered at Heaton Park as Parklife 2026 returned for its opening day in warm weather, bringing major performances, new festival features and a surprise appearance from rapper Aitch.

Manchester rapper Aitch delighted festival goers after making a surprise appearance at Parklife, creating one of the most talked about moments of the weekend. The unexpected guest spot prompted a huge response from the crowd at Heaton Park.

Skepta attracts one of the largest audiences of the day at Parklife as fans packed The Valley stage to watch the grime star perform at Heaton Park. The appearance marks another major Manchester show for the artist following a high profile visit to the city earlier this year.

Coachella inspired fashion swept through Parklife as cowboy boots, neutral tones and boho chic outfits became the defining look of the weekend.

Sammy Virji is drawing huge crowds at Parklife as festival goers gather at The Valley stage for one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend. The DJ and producer is delivering a high energy performance to thousands of fans at Heaton Park.

The Green Party has announced that Geraldine Coggins will be on the ballot paper on the 30th July as their candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor

Festival goers attending Parklife 2026 at Heaton Park are paying up to £13 for cocktails, with standard drinks and premium options available across the site.

Parklife 2026 has begun at Heaton Park with thousands of music fans arriving for the first day of the two day festival.

A series of road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place around Heaton Park during the Parklife Festival on 20 and 21 June, today and tomorrow.

George Galloway spent more than £150,000 in expenses during his four months as Rochdale MP, official documents show.

Bury Council's adult social care services have been rated Good by the Care Quality Commission following an inspection of how the authority meets its duties under the Care Act 2014.

More than 100 students from across Greater Manchester attended the annual SEND Rugby Festival at Hopwood Hall College and University Centre.

Rochdale AFC and Rochdale Borough Council have revealed proposals for a new Football and Community Wellbeing Hub at Bowlee Playing Fields in Middleton.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, will soon head to Westminster after winning Makerfield by-election overnight.

Labour has held a key seat on Bury Council this evening, with a win in Moorside.

Greater Manchester Police will deploy extra officers this weekend as Parklife returns to Heaton Park alongside several other major events across the city region.

Stockport band Blossoms have announced their sixth studio album Songs From The Wedding Cake, set for release on 2nd October via ODD SK and Distiller Records. The announcement comes alongside new single Meet Me In Love and details of a UK arena tour in 2026.

A former teacher has been told he will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of murdering 13 month old Preston Davey and a series of child sexual offences.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of two new co-station managers as Roch Valley Radio continues to grow across Greater Manchester.

The Darnhill Festival will return on Saturday 4 July with a packed programme of performances, creative activities and family entertainment.

A textile artwork created by members of Cartwheel Arts' Art & Soul group in Rochdale has been selected for a national online exhibition.

Councillor Jordan Tarrant Short has stepped down as deputy leader of Reform UK in Rochdale and relinquished his portfolio responsibilities.

Two new poetry anthologies featuring the work of Rochdale residents have been published following the borough's year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

A 100 year old resident living at Half Acre House Residential Care Home in Rochdale is capturing hearts on TikTok while raising money for a cause that has been close to her heart for many years.

Crime and anti social behaviour in Rochdale town centre have fallen significantly during the first year of Operation Tetbury, with police saying the project is helping to change perceptions of the town while supporting wider regeneration.

At 11.17am on Saturday 15 June 1996, Manchester changed forever.

Roadworks at Sudden Junction could be completed up to five months ahead of schedule after changes were introduced to ease congestion around one of Rochdale's busiest junctions.

A Bury woman has spoken about the devastating impact loneliness had on her life after the death of her husband, as new figures show more than a third of referrals to social prescribing services in the borough are linked to loneliness.

Rochdale Borough Council has been rated good by the Care Quality Commission following an assessment of its adult social care services under the Care Act 2014.

Elsie Blundell MP has praised staff and pupils at Oulder Hill Leadership Academy after a visit with education minister Josh MacAlister.

A possible pathway to improve a trespass, vandalism and fire hit former pub has been suggested.

Almost £20m of council tax in Rochdale has gone unpaid in the last decade.

Shops linked to the sale of illegal tobacco, banned vapes and counterfeit goods could face closure for up to a year under proposed government changes welcomed by Rochdale MP Paul Waugh.

More than 3,000 people attended Rochdale's Street Eat food and drink festival as the event returned to Town Hall Square with a day of international cuisine, live entertainment and family activities.

A flood at an old mill in Rochdale has left several businesses facing financial ruin – with no choice but to close.

A housing estate in Rochdale has been overrun by cars for years, according to members of the community. But that is all about to change following a successful campaign to find an alternative to cars clogging up the pavements.

A Greater Manchester Police community support officer has been praised after helping save the life of a man found unconscious in a van while on patrol in Saddleworth.

Rochdale Masters Rugby League has announced the creation of a Women’s Masters Section as the club continues to expand and encourage greater participation in the sport.

Able Cadet Olivia Mason enjoying the District Camp at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall

Forty bicycles previously held by Greater Manchester Police have been donated to a Bury cycling project that teaches young people bike repair skills and encourages healthy activity.

Andy Burnham has said local councils should be given greater powers and resources to tackle anti social behaviour and regain control over the future of high streets.

Cars hurtle down Grimshaw Lane at ‘breakneck’ speeds with a ‘woosh’ and a ‘zumph’. And according to locals, it’s hard to believe the speed limit here is 30mph.

Rochdale’s annual Pride celebration will return on Saturday 18 July, and we're inviting local people, groups and businesses to get involved in this year’s event.

A leading political scientist has said an upcoming by-election could determine how Andy Burnham’s quarter-century in politics is remembered.

A man identified by detectives as an associate of the perpetrator of the October 2025 terrorist attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue has pleaded guilty to preparing for acts of terrorism.

Three men have been jailed after police dismantled a large scale drug supply network that used postal services to distribute Class A and Class B drugs across the UK from a warehouse in Edenfield.

While towns in Makerfield are swarmed by politicians and the press – the streets plastered in the signs of political parties – the Three Sisters park in Wigan feels like a sanctuary of calm amid the by-election madness.

Andy Burnham has called for major changes to business rates, including a 20 per cent cut for pubs and music venues and the removal of business rates for thousands of small family run high street firms.

Rochdale have confirmed Head Coach Jimmy McNulty has left the club to join League One side Stockport County.

Work on a major M60 motorway upgrade at the notorious Simister Island junction has started.

The damage from lightning strikes to a wind turbine on Scout Moor means another wind farm there could be too dangerous, according to campaigners.

A newly-elected councillor has defended a decades old picture of him in ‘black face’ make-up as part of a musical performance.

EdStart Schools Oldham and Rochdale has been praised by Ofsted in its first inspection, with inspectors highlighting improvements in attendance, pupil engagement and progression into further education, employment and training.

People in Ashton-in-Makerfield are starting to get fed up.

Littleborough Band enjoyed a successful Whit Friday, collecting five prizes across a series of contests in Saddleworth.

A specialist school in Chadderton that supports vulnerable young people has successfully passed an unannounced inspection by the Joint Council for Qualifications.

Construction has officially started on a new housing development in Castleton that will deliver 302 homes.

Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC has received a donation from a local retailer and charitable organisation to help support players, equipment, and community programmes.

Kyle Howard, whose date of birth is 13 June 2000 and who is of Tweedale Street, Rochdale, has been charged with murder.

A woman has been charged following a series of incidents at The Rock car park in Bury during May.

A top boss is keeping the lights on at Oldham Council while councillors work out who is going to take over.

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.

A deputy team manager from a Rochdale-based care organisation has been commended for saving the life of a police officer who was seriously injured while on duty.

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

Traffic halted and delays expected following collision between junctions 16 and 17

Traffic was stopped this evening on the M66 southbound between the A56 and Junction 1.

Live updates during the evening as we embed with GMFRS for a behind-the-scenes look at frontline fire service work during one of the busiest times of the year.

Thousands of music lovers descended on Bury during Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August 2025, for Glaston-Bury, the annual one day music festival in aid of Bury Hospice and other local causes. Since it began in 2008, the event has raised over £300,000 and has become one of the town’s biggest highlights of the year.

Thousands packed into Heywood for the town's annual 1940s Day on Saturday 21 June, transforming the area into a tribute to wartime Britain.

Day One at Parklife 2025 is done, and what a day it was. Over 50,000 people packed into Heaton Park for a massive Saturday, with sets from FLO, Rudimental and a huge headline performance by 50 Cent.

Tens of thousands of music fans are pouring into Parklife, as the day one of the festival gets underway.

The sister of murdered soldier Lee Rigby is preparing to run two major fundraising events this autumn, twelve years after his death at the hands of extremists.

The following statement is attributable to Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry:

Bury Business Improvement District have begun hosting the Knife Angel in partnership with Bury Council and GMP and several organisations and partners.

An old empty mill is to be transformed into much-needed housing for people with mental health issues.

The National Poppy Appeal has been launched in Bury today (Thursday 26 October) as we remember the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives and livelihoods during past and current conflicts.

On Tuesday 19 September 2023, Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of a burglary on Brandlesholme Road, Bury.

Asian Community Radio Station in Moorgate, Bury Sparks Controversy with Anti-LGBT Education Signs

The charitable organisation known as the LGBTQI+ Forum in Bury, has issued a statement.

On Tuesday 29 August 2023 at around 11:55pm, officers were called to reports of a man who had been attacked with a knife on Haworth Walk in Radcliffe, Bury.

Housing association Onward Homes and construction firm John Southworth will be working in partnership on a new development of 30 affordable homes in Whitefield, Bury.