Local News

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.

Newhouse Academy has been awarded the Quality in Careers Standard full award following an external assessment completed in March 2026. The school said the accreditation recognises two years of work developing its careers education programme.

A manufacturer based in Heywood is preparing to launch new artificial intelligence technology designed to improve safety on driverless rail networks. The system is being developed by GJD Manufacturing and is expected to enter the market in 2026.

New allegations from women in Heywood have emerged after Jamie Thomason publicly disclosed that he had attended a police interview and had been placed on bail conditions.

Reform UK has picked the former Conservative group leader to lead its team on Bury council.

Councillor Carol Birchmore has been appointed as the new leader of Radcliffe First after Councillor Mike Smith stepped down following his appointment as deputy mayor of Bury.

TWO Whitworth Community High School students were rewarded with Mayor of Whitworth Young Achiever awards for their outstanding work.

FORMER Headteacher of Whitworth Community High School Gill Middlemas was invited to attend the King’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

People travelling to Parklife 2026 are being urged to check updated transport arrangements after organisers confirmed changes to pick up and drop off locations around Heaton Park.

Reform UK has a new leader in Rochdale and he believes his party can be an effective opposition in the town hall

A row has erupted over Andy Burnham’s bid to return to Parliament and the cost of a potential by-election for his job as Greater Manchester mayor.

A Greater Manchester housebuilder has donated £1,500 to Rochdale Sea Cadets to support maintenance work at the organisation’s headquarters and help continue activities for young people in the borough.

FOOTBALLER Summer Taylor helped her team to add the Manchester FA Girls Cup to their Bolton and Bury League title and now she hopes they win the treble.

A volunteer run community project providing free school uniform to families in Heywood has received around 2,000 donated items from schoolwear retailer Monkhouse.

Footasylum has confirmed it has started a consultation process with staff at its distribution centres following proposed changes to fulfilment operations.

A young dancer from Rochdale has won a prestigious national award after being nominated among more than 5,000 children from across the country.

A teaching assistant from Radcliffe has been jailed for four years and six months after admitting multiple sexual offences against a boy of primary school age.

A woman has been left ‘fuming’ after being slapped with a parking fine at Rochdale Leisure Centre.

The shopping centre in Middleton has been brought to market with an asking price of £8.45 million.

East Lancashire Railway has appointed two new directors to its company board following an internal and external recruitment process.

Parents, carers, staff and students at Kingsway Park High School, are being asked for their views on proposed changes to the school day which would begin from September 2026.

Rochdale and District Mind launched Mental Health Awareness Week with a pottery painting session aimed at encouraging residents to focus on wellbeing and connection.

Ten members of an organised crime gang have been sentenced over a cannabis importation plot linked to Rochdale and Heywood.

A woman from Heywood has been fined £2,347 after household waste was fly tipped just around the corner from her home.

Professor Jonathan Tonge says Andy Burnham’s expected bid to stand in the Makerfield by-election could create major tensions within Labour and reshape politics in Greater Manchester.

Ramsbottom United chairman Harry Williams has announced he is stepping back after six decades leading the club he helped establish in 1966.

The Rock in Bury has opened nominations for its 2026 charity partnership programme.

A public access defibrillator has been installed in memory of Andy Haines, who died on Holcombe Moor 18 months ago.

Hundreds of Rochdale AFC fans gathered at Rochdale Town Hall to celebrate the club’s return to the Football League.

Rochdale are back in the Football League after beating Boreham Wood on penalties at Wembley following a dramatic 2-2 draw after extra time.

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has praised Rochdale AFC’s “never say die spirit” ahead of the club’s trip to Wembley.

Alex and James have raised £51,298.34 for Springhill Hospice after completing their Running for Dad challenge in memory of Alex’s dad Darren.

Dale head to the national stadium today, Sunday 10 May, for a place in the English Football League as they face Boreham Wood.

Parents at St Cuthberts RC High School have been told that further strike action will take place next week as an ongoing dispute involving the NASUWT and NEU continues.

Reform UK surge in Bolton as seismic shift sees council leader lose his seat

A councillor attending the local election count in Oldham says his vehicle was damaged while parked in the town centre on Thursday evening.

Oldham Council says it is investigating an issue affecting ballot papers in the Waterhead ward after reports that local election votes were disqualified due to a printing error.

The restoration of Rochdale Town Hall has received four major honours at the RIBA North West Awards 2026.

The Prison Officers’ Association has renamed its northern regional office in Leeds as Joe Simpson House in honour of former deputy general secretary Joe Simpson.

A long running exercise referral scheme in Oldham has reached its 20th year after supporting thousands of residents recovering from serious health conditions.

A free fair celebrating Rochdale’s co-operative history will take place in the town centre on Saturday 23 May.

A group of Rochdale men climbed Snowdon nine times over three days to raise money for Jolly Josh.

A notorious ‘race track’ where a man lost his life in Middleton is to be made safer.

Children at a Rochdale pre-school don’t all have access to drinking water, according to a damning Ofsted report.

Dozens of young people attended a junior open day at Hadfield St Andrew Cricket Club as the summer programme got under way. The event was aimed at children aged four to 13, including those new to the sport.

It’s decision day in Bury as the borough prepares for this afternoon’s local election count, with candidates and party activists gathering to find out who will take key seats on the council.

Thousands of people headed to the ballot boxes yesterday for this year's local elections across Rochdale.

Bolton's local election count is underway tonight, with voters across the borough deciding who will take control of key council seats.

Oldham’s local election count is underway tonight, with voters across the borough deciding who will take control of key council seats.

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.