Local News

Reform UK's candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral election, Sian Astley, has pledged greater transparency, more visible policing and fairer investment across all 10 boroughs if elected.

A free festival celebrating food, music, art and culture from across the Islamic world will return to Rochdale Town Hall Square on Saturday 1 August.

The controversial Hopwood Triangle traffic calming trial in Heywood will not be removed as early as expected after Rochdale Council said a formal township vote is needed before the scheme can be ended.

A man from Milnrow has been charged with two counts of attempted rape and one count of making threats to kill following two reported incidents in Rochdale.

Volunteers from Thrum Hall Methodist Church helped feed hundreds of walkers taking part in the Whitworth Skyline Walk while raising £450 for Christian Aid.

Pubs, clubs and live music venues in Bury are set to receive a 20 per cent reduction in their business rates bills from April next year under new government plans.

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education.

Bury North MP James Frith has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care.

A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted rape following two incidents in Rochdale earlier today.

A Bury man has been jailed for three years after admitting terrorism offences relating to extremist material and using mobile phones while in prison.

Detectives are appealing for information after two women were sexually assaulted in separate incidents in Rochdale during the early hours of Saturday.

A man was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries after being glassed outside Hogarth's pub in Rochdale Town Centre, police confirmed.

Labour candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig has set out her vision for the city region in an interview with Roch Valley Radio, promising practical policies that she says would leave residents "better off".

Green Party candidate Geraldine Coggins has pledged to deliver 20,000 genuinely affordable homes, introduce free bus travel for young people and spread investment beyond Manchester city centre if elected Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Bury Council has adopted new planning guidance designed to support healthier neighbourhoods by influencing where future hot food takeaways are located.

Bury Council has adopted new planning guidance aimed at supporting affordable housing while managing the impact of houses in multiple occupation on local neighbourhoods.

Three men have been charged with a total of 46 offences following a Greater Manchester Police investigation into alleged non recent rape and sexual abuse in Bury.

Business leaders, council representatives and partners have marked the tenth anniversary of the Bury Business Leadership Group, celebrating a decade of collaboration to support economic growth and regeneration across the borough.

A heritage project which introduced thousands of people to archaeology through excavations in Rochdale and Middleton has been shortlisted for a national award.

Bury has retained Green Flag status for all 13 of its main parks and two cemeteries, giving the borough the highest number of Green Flag sites in Greater Manchester.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing has reported its highest ever tenant satisfaction results, with customer ratings improving across every measure compared with last year.

The multi million pound transformation of Touchstones Rochdale has reached another milestone with the appointment of a new contractor to deliver the next phase of the project.

Bury North MP James Frith has said reports claiming convicted child sex offender Shabir Ahmed is living in Bury are false.

Businesses at Stakehill Industrial Estate have voted overwhelmingly to renew the area's Business Improvement District for a second five year term.

The MPs for Rochdale and Bury North have welcomed Andy Burnham's first speech as Prime Minister, backing his plans to tackle rough sleeping, ease cost of living pressures and set out a long term programme for government.

Hathershaw College welcomed Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton MP Jim McMahon to discuss its plans for a new school building and its vision for the future.

Reform UK's candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor has pledged support for a campaign to reopen Bury Castle Armoury.

Rock Choir has launched a new group in Rochdale, giving local people the chance to join the contemporary singing organisation without auditions or the need to read music.

A Bury Council environmental protection officer has been recognised in the ENDS Report Power List 2026 for her contribution to contaminated land management.

Three teenagers from the Heywood and Middleton North constituency have spent two days with First Choice Homes Oldham as part of MP Elsie Blundell's Fly High Summer School.

McDonald's in Middleton has reopened following a refurbishment designed to improve the experience for customers and restaurant staff. The changes include a redesigned layout, updated technology and new facilities for delivery couriers.

Julie Murphy has been appointed as Chief Executive and head of paid service at Rochdale Borough Council following approval by councillors at a meeting of full council.

Residents on the Sykes Avenue Estate in Unsworth are meeting on Thursday evening after receiving proposed rent increases of up to 75 per cent following the sale of their homes to a new owner.

Rochdale Borough Council's STARS adult care service has been rated good by the Care Quality Commission following its latest inspection.

Rochdale Women's Welfare Association took part in the annual GM4Women Dialogue, Deeds and Determination gathering, bringing together women and allies from across Greater Manchester to discuss equality and support for women and girls.

Students from Skills 4 All in Rochdale have won second place in the secondary category of the 2026 Childnet Film Competition with a film exploring the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence.

The Potting Shed will return to The Rock shopping centre in Bury for five weeks of free gardening themed family activities during the summer holidays.

Twelve parks and green spaces across Rochdale borough have retained Green Flag Award status, recognising the quality of their management and maintenance. The awards come as the Green Flag scheme marks its 30th anniversary.

Bury has not been shortlisted for the UK’s first Town of Culture competition after submitting its bid earlier this year.

Two Tottington High School students have raised £1,000 for Millie’s Time, a charity supporting bereaved parents that was founded by a member of staff in memory of her daughter.

Bury based technology company Avoira has been shortlisted in two categories at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards as it marks its 50th anniversary.

Rochdale Sea Cadets have been named the second best Sea Cadet detachment in the country after finishing runners up in the Gibraltar Cup at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon. The unit also won the Best Team Medic Award during the national competition.

Reform UK has launched its manifesto for the Greater Manchester mayoral election, setting out proposals on policing, transport, housing, migration and council tax.

Police are appealing for witnesses after reports of dangerous driving in Littleborough that left two pedestrians with minor injuries.

A woman in her 50s has died following a collision on the M62 near Rochdale after police believe the car she was driving was travelling in the wrong direction.

Firefighters remain at the scene of a moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir after large plumes of smoke were seen rising above Saddleworth on Saturday evening.

Another protest against plans for a house in multiple occupation next to a primary school in Heywood has been moved from the town’s Memorial Gardens to the Civic Centre following concerns raised by local residents, Rochdale Council and the Heywood Veterans’ Association.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Ukrainian Centre in Rochdale for the third annual Dumpling Day, a free community event celebrating the borough’s diverse cultures ahead of Refugee Week. The event was organised by Touchstones, part of Your Trust, and brought together people of all ages through food, music and creative activities.

Rochdale Mayfield has secured more than £10,000 in funding to invest in its facilities and expand its community activities. The money has been awarded through Rochdale Borough Council’s Township Fund and The Football Foundation.

Rochdale rugby player Ian Murgatroyd has been selected to represent England in Masters Rugby League. He is due to play against Scotland in Edinburgh this October after earning international recognition for his long standing commitment to the sport.

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has urged continued action on climate change after raising the issue with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband during questions in the House of Commons. He said communities including Rochdale are already experiencing the effects of more frequent extreme weather.

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary has been named The Rock Shopping Centre’s charity partner for the second consecutive year after receiving the most support in a public vote.

The Green Party has launched its manifesto for Greater Manchester, setting out plans including 20,000 genuinely affordable homes, free bus travel for under 22 year olds and investment in town centres if its mayoral candidate Geraldine Coggins is elected.

A new temporary fire station is planned for Heywood while the existing site is rebuilt.

With temperatures remaining high across much of the UK, health and safety experts are urging people to use electric fans safely to reduce the risk of overheating and electrical faults.

Students at Wardle Academy were temporarily evacuated after a handheld fan overheated on the school site.

A trial scheme aimed at improving road safety around the Hopwood Triangle in Heywood has received a mixed response from residents, with some welcoming the changes while others say traffic has become more congested.

Hopwood Hall College will name two new buildings after former governors Robert Clegg OBE and Clive Reid in recognition of their decades of voluntary service to the college.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing has reached a major milestone in its College Bank relocation programme after the 100th customer accepted an offer of a new home.

A new school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school could be built on the site of an empty Rochdale warehouse.

The government plans to change immigration law to allow the deportation of the released ringleader of a Rochdale child sexual exploitation gang after existing legislation prevented his removal from the UK.

Two time BRIT Award winner Gabrielle will headline Rochdale Feel Good Festival when it returns on Saturday 8 August 2026, joined by Ash, Starsailor and a line up of established and emerging acts.

Organisers of a protest against plans for a house in multiple occupation next to Woodlands Primary School say the demonstration will go ahead at Heywood Memorial Gardens despite Rochdale Council asking them to relocate the event.

A man has been jailed for 26 years after being convicted of 31 offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault against five children over a period spanning more than two decades.

Four primary schools in Bury North will begin offering free breakfast clubs from September under the government’s expansion of its Best Start programme.

A poll carried out at Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre found that six in ten people who took part described themselves as big spenders rather than savers.

Fourteen employees from Barratt Homes have raised £21820 for Manchester Foundation Trust Charity after completing the National Three Peaks Challenge in less than 24 hours.

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.