Local News

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.

A national metal recycling scheme has generated a £17,000 donation for Andy’s Man Club from cremations carried out at Rochdale Borough Council crematoria.

La Latte Lounge Community Cafe CIC has opened a new community space and women’s workshop on Bank Street aimed at supporting people facing isolation, mental health challenges and abuse.

A property on Church Street in Rochdale has been served with a Closure Notice by Rochdale Borough Council following concerns linked to nuisance and disorder at the address.

Rochdale town centre will be transformed into a Medieval village this June as a large scale event featuring combat displays, music, activities and historical reenactments takes over the area.

Families visiting The Rock during May half term can take part in a free interactive trail with the chance to win a £150 shopping voucher.

A new embroidered banner created by women from communities across Rochdale is set to go on public display after months of collaborative work celebrating the borough’s history and identity.

Wastewater flowing beneath Rochdale could soon be used to heat public buildings and homes under plans backed by £1 million in government funding.

Greater Manchester Police has increased its speed enforcement capability with the introduction of two new vehicles aimed at tackling dangerous driving across the region.

Two Greater Manchester housebuilders joined Rochdale’s Mayor and a litter picking charity for a community cleanup on Queensway amid continuing concerns over fly tipping and littering around Cowm Top Lane.

Counter Terrorism Policing North West officers have arrested a man in Salford as part of an ongoing investigation into the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue last year.

The family of a woman found dead at a property in Rochdale have paid tribute to her after she was formally identified by police.

A second man has been arrested as part of an investigation into an incident in Whitefield last week.

A woman believed to be in her 40s has died after officers were called to reports of a concern for welfare at Freehold Flats on Tweedale Street in Rochdale on Sunday afternoon.

Thousands of ducks were sold at the Ramsbottom Rotary Duck Race as organisers reported their busiest year since the event began. Organisers said both cash prize races sold out and hundreds of children also took part in the day.

We're down at the two-day music festival hosted by East Lancashire Railway and this year we’re fully embracing the stadium scene, with heavy hitting tributes to Queen and Cher, as well as even more Northern Soul and 1980s bangers.

For one weekend every year, Bury Bolton Street stops feeling like a railway station and starts feeling like something much harder to describe.

We're down at the two-day music festival hosted by East Lancashire Railway and this year we’re fully embracing the stadium scene, with heavy hitting tributes to Queen and Cher, as well as even more Northern Soul and 1980s bangers.

St Cuthbert’s R.C. High School in Rochdale has told parents that industrial action is set to continue after half term, with disruption expected across June.

Community groups across Oldham held activities this week to mark World Bee Day after receiving funding from First Choice Homes Oldham to support events focused on biodiversity and pollinators.

Students from Oldham College are preparing to take part in a Dragon Boat Race to raise money for The Royal Oldham Hospital Children's Unit through the Sunshine Appeal.

Oldham College and Oldham Council have launched a campaign encouraging employers to create 100 apprenticeship opportunities in 100 days to help more young people into work, training and education. The initiative launched on 21 May and will run throughout the summer recruitment period.

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Six candidates will go head-to-head to secure the final seat on Bury council. 

Vintage Vibes is returning to the East Lancashire Railway this weekend with live tribute acts, Northern Soul favourites and all day heritage rail travel included in ticket prices across Saturday 23 May and Sunday 24 May.

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.