Local News

A newly built steam locomotive ran alongside engines dating back to the 19th century during a three day rail event in Greater Manchester.

A TEN-year-old footballer celebrated her birthday by dribbling a football 10 miles over Easter to raise money for a new equipment for her team.

Businesses in Heywood are being invited to sign up to a proposed two way radio network aimed at improving safety and communication across the town.

A major exhibition celebrating the life and work of Victoria Wood has opened at Bury Art Museum. The display marks ten years since the death of the comedian, writer and actor.

A panel discussion on children’s use of social media is set to take place in Bury North as national debate grows around potential new restrictions. The event will be held on Thursday 30 April from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Nominations have opened for this year’s Raising Rochdale Education Awards, which recognise teachers, tutors, support staff and education teams across the borough. The awards evening is due to take place at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 20 November.

Roch Valley Radio joined response officers in Rochdale for an early shift, revealing the fast paced and unpredictable nature of frontline policing.

Emergency services are dealing with a large fire on Milltown Street in Radcliffe, with residents urged to stay away and keep windows and doors closed.

Teachers and support staff at St Cuthbert’s High School in Rochdale have begun strike action in a dispute over proposed job cuts and staffing levels.

Elite cyclists will pass through Middleton when the Tour de France Femmes arrives in Greater Manchester in 2027. The route has now been confirmed, placing the town on the opening stage of the race.

A chef from Greater Manchester has secured a senior role at one of Gordon Ramsay’s London restaurants after training at Hopwood Hall College.

The Rainbow Train made a welcome return on Sunday 19th April, bringing together over 170 passengers for a fantastic evening of celebration, community spirit and entertainment.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Avoira has donated 50 voice activated smart speakers to Age UK Bury to help tackle loneliness and digital exclusion. The donation marks the local technology firm’s 50th year in business.

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

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

More than 1,500 people attended Rochdale’s first FAB Youth Arts Festival, celebrating creativity led by young people across the town.

A Labour councillor standing for re election in Smallbridge and Firgrove has responded after a WhatsApp message appeared to suggest Reform policies could benefit his business.

A lecturer is urging Oldham MPs to attend a parliamentary debate on statutory sick pay for women with endometriosis.

More than 40 people attended a community event at a garden centre in Failsworth celebrating women working in and entering the horticulture sector.

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. 

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of going equipped after officers stopped a vehicle and recovered suspected theft equipment in Royton.

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.

Four men in their 20s have been arrested after a violent disorder involving two vehicles in Heywood. Police also arrested two of the men on suspicion of drugs offences.

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.

Bosses at a Bury snooker club were hauled before councillors after a customer was knocked unconscious after hours.

Two more restoration projects sandwiching the iconic Rochdale Town Hall have been approved.

The plan to create a new ‘high-quality’ apartment block in Rochdale has been refused because the flats are too small. Cope Funeral Service has been a mainstay on Manchester Road for years, but a scheme to demolish it and build 28 apartments was tabled last year.

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.

Emergency services attended a collision on Long Street in Middleton on Monday evening. Two people were injured and one was taken to hospital.

A free Teddy Bears’ Picnic themed playground has opened at The Rock in Bury for the Easter holidays, with activities running until 19 April. Families are invited to take part in daily sessions and special themed events.

A building collapse in Oldham has sparked fears over potential human trafficking after it displaced more than 40 people living in flats neighbouring the property, we understand.

Boz Park in Unsworth has been formally designated as a Local Nature Reserve, marking its recognition as an important site for wildlife and the community. The site becomes the eighth reserve of its kind in the borough.

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.

Reform UK has secured victory in the Tottington by-election, gaining a seat on Bury Council. 

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.

Rochdale Borough Council has recognised outstanding staff contributions during its ACE Staff Awards, with seven honours presented at Rochdale Town Hall.

Rochdale Development Agency has appointed Rachel Laver as its new managing director, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience in economic development and regeneration.

A 48 hour dispersal order has been introduced across Rochdale town centre following reports of anti social behaviour and criminal damage. The order is in force from 11.30am on Thursday 2 April until 11.30am on Saturday.

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.