Local News

Labour's candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig, has announced plans to expand the Bee Network, freeze bus fares and introduce more free public transport as part of her election campaign.

The trust responsible for Rochdale Pioneers Museum has warned the birthplace of the modern co operative movement could close within two years unless a long term funding solution is found.

Whitworth Community High School Year 9 student Abby Parnell was competing in only her second ever Horse of the Year Show, HOYS, qualifying heat on Sunday June 28 in Formby.

The daughter of one of the killers of Suzanne Capper, Kelly Higgins, has started a petition to 'Automatically remove parental responsibility for parents convicted of abuse'

Shabir Ahmed was convicted of 30 child sexual offences and was jailed for 19 years in Liverpool Crown Court in 2012, but just 14 years into his sentence, he is set to be released from prison today.

A site manager at a Rochdale development has been recognised with a top national award for the quality of the homes he is building.

Elsie Blundell MP, in response to the release of Shabir Ahmed on Thursday, has released the following statement.

Rochdale Borough Council has been awarded a grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force, administered by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, to help clean up gum and reduce gum littering.

Ramsyn Alnour Eissa, 35, has been charged with two counts of section 18 assault, two counts of possession of a bladed article, and one count of affray.

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have confirmed who will be standing for each respective party at the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral by-election.

New roofing, triple-glazed windows, new doors, loft insulation top-ups, and ventilation upgrades are all taking place in 202 houses and 100 flats in the area.

A 15-year-old boy has received a youth referral order and a driving ban, after earlier pleading guilty to causing the death of a 14-year-old passenger on his e-scooter when it collided with a car.

Rochdale businesses are being given direct, one-to-one access to global market entry experts as part of new initiative designed to help them tap into billions of pounds worth of untapped export opportunities.

Roch Valley Radio has officially opened this year's nominations for our Community Heroes Awards, celebrating the everyday people, groups and organisations going above and beyond to make Rochdale and Bury a better place to live.

Middleton Shopping Centre is under new management after a sale was confirmed on Friday.

A 92-year-old pensioner in a care facility has been given just four weeks to find a new place to live after a shock closure announcement.

Reform UK has announced Sian Astley as its candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election next month.

As of the latest OFSTED and CQC visit, Bury's SEND services have improved on their 2025 improvements.

More than 25 years after it first aired on BBC One, Victoria Wood's much loved sitcom dinnerladies is returning in a brand new stage adaptation. The production will visit Manchester Opera House in January and February 2027 as part of a nationwide tour, with Les Dennis confirmed in the role of Stan.

Shabir Ahmed, one of the men convicted over the Rochdale child sexual exploitation scandal, is expected to be released from prison in July 2026 under strict licence conditions, according to correspondence sent to a victim through the Victim Contact Scheme.

Greater Manchester Police have announced that the body of a teenage boy has been recovered from water in Clifton Country Park Swinton after reports of a 15-year-old boy getting in to difficulty in the water on Saturday 27 June 2026 at 4.51pm.

Mill Gate Shopping Centre has been recognised on an international stage after being named a winner of the Commonwealth Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2026.

Some of the countries biggest employers came together at the Bury North fair on Friday 26 June to help young people take their next step into work, training, and apprenticeships.

The Enterprise Centre is said to create new opportunities and boost business growth in the heart of Radcliffe, with plans underway to provide small businesses with extra support to allow them to thrive

Teachers at St Cuthbert's RC High School have ended their strike action after an agreement was reached between the St Teresa of Calcutta Trust, and the NASUWT and NEU teaching unions.

Managing director of M6 Theatre Company, Laura Rodwell, has been chosen to chair the board of a £20m initiative as part of Rochdale Borough Council's plans to boost regeneration in the local area

A woman in her 60s has died after her body was recovered from water at Island Lodge in Tottington on Sunday evening. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances.

A Heywood man is among 13 men due to stand trial in September following a Greater Manchester Police investigation into allegations of drug facilitated sexual abuse against one woman.

Former England footballer Stuart Pearce has joined Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to encourage more people across Greater Manchester to volunteer as puppy trainers for the charity's life changing assistance dogs.

Urgent and emergency care and medical services at Fairfield General Hospital have been rated as requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission following an inspection carried out in January.

A 21 year old man from Rochdale has been jailed for three years and six months after assaulting two Greater Manchester Police officers at Manchester Airport in July 2024.

Labour's candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig, has launched her campaign with a pledge to provide free Bee Network bus travel for every young person aged 11 to 18 if elected.

A free exhibition showcasing the lived experiences of more than 100 women, including participants from Rochdale, will open in Tameside next month.

Rochdale Borough Council has published its annual report for 2025/26, highlighting progress on major regeneration projects, environmental improvements and key health and community outcomes.

It has been a few weeks since I had the great honour of becoming Mayor of Rochdale. It is a huge privilege to serve the community, along with my wife, Mayoress of Rochdale Iram Faisal.

A section of Grimshaw Lane in Middleton has been closed after a sinkhole appeared in the carriageway and further excavation work raised safety concerns.

The Labour Party have confirmed that Bev Craig will run as their candidate in the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral by-election.

Volunteers have joined forces to brighten Rochdale town centre through a new partnership between Rochdale in Bloom and Rochdale Riverside.

Rochdale Masters has marked a major milestone after completing its first international tour with a visit to Perpignan in southern France.

A Rochdale man who fraudulently claimed more than £22,000 in Covid business support grants has received a suspended prison sentence and been ordered to repay the money.

A community food hub in Radcliffe is celebrating its first anniversary after helping local residents access affordable food while reducing waste.

Bury Council has unveiled a new 10 year strategy aimed at helping older residents live independently for longer through the development of extra care housing across the borough.

More than 220 young musicians took to the stage at Middleton Arena as part of Rochdale Music Service’s annual Summer Sizzler event.

It was an odd twist of fate that Andy Burnham said his goodbyes to staff at his former office in Manchester this morning at the same time as Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation live to the nation.

Restore Britain has selected campaigner and NHS worker Marlon West as its candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election.

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has backed Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to become the next Labour leader and Prime Minister following Keir Starmer's resignation.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed he will put himself forward as part of the process to choose Labour's next leader following Keir Starmer's decision to step down.

A new stage experience has made its debut at Parklife Festival this weekend, giving music fans a completely different way to enjoy some of the event’s biggest electronic acts.

Parklife Festival brings together some of the biggest names in dance, pop and electronic music each year.

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.

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.