Local News from Thursday, February 26th, 2026

Accredited election observers have reported what they describe as unusually high levels of family voting during the Gorton and Denton Westminster Parliamentary by election.

An April by-election will take place in Bury after the shock departure of a Tottington councillor, the local authority has confirmed.

Voters in Tottington will go to the polls on Thursday 2nd April 2026, following the resignation of Councillor Luis McBriar.

Bury Council has approved its budget for the year 2026 to 2027, setting out plans to safeguard key public services while managing a reduced but still significant funding shortfall.

People in Rochdale will see their council tax bills go up from April. But it’s not all bad news. 

A 38 year old man has been jailed for more than 12 years after carrying out a planned axe attack on a man in Middleton, leaving him with life threatening injuries.

Three teenage boys have been charged with a series of offences following a knifepoint robbery on Bury New Road in Prestwich on Tuesday evening.